Learn How to Use Was & Had in Real English Conversations | Talk About Your First Job

Added: 2026-05-31

[00:00:00]Michael, whenever I talk about my first job, >> Mhm.

[00:00:04]>> I honestly never know when to use was and when to use had.

[00:00:09]>> Ah, yep. That confuses almost every English learner.

[00:00:12]>> It is so frustrating.

[00:00:14]>> I totally get it >> because sometimes people say, "I was nervous."

[00:00:19]>> Right.

[00:00:20]>> But then they say, "I had no experience."

[00:00:23]>> Exactly.

[00:00:24]>> Why does English make everything sound so similar?

[00:00:27]>> Huh?

[00:00:28]>> Take a deep breath. It happens to everyone.

[00:00:30]>> Oh gosh, I just feel silly sometimes.

[00:00:33]>> You shouldn't. One word describes your condition.

[00:00:36]>> Okay.

[00:00:37]>> The other word describes something you had in your life.

[00:00:40]>> It sounds simple when you say it.

[00:00:42]>> And it will be simple for you, too.

[00:00:43]Don't worry.

[00:00:44]>> Really?

[00:00:45]>> Absolutely. Because today you will finally understand the real difference.

[00:00:49]>> Thank goodness.

[00:00:50]>> The real difference between was and had.

[00:00:53]>> I am so ready for this.

[00:00:55]>> Awesome. But before we start >> Oh, right. If you are watching or listening to us right now, >> make sure to hit that subscribe button >> and leave a like on this video.

[00:01:05]>> It really helps us make more lessons for you.

[00:01:08]>> Definitely. Okay, Olivia, let's dive in.

[00:01:10]>> I am slightly nervous to be honest.

[00:01:13]>> Relax. Today is not a grammar class.

[00:01:16]>> Oh, thank God. Phew.

[00:01:18]>> I heard that sigh of relief.

[00:01:20]>> I hate memorizing grammar rules.

[00:01:23]>> No rules today. Today we are just talking about real life. Real life. I like that.

[00:01:28]>> We are going to picture it in our minds.

[00:01:31]>> Mhm.

[00:01:31]>> Picture your first job.

[00:01:33]>> Oh wow. Going back in time.

[00:01:35]>> Picture your first boss.

[00:01:37]>> Oh no.

[00:01:39]>> Picture your first salary.

[00:01:40]>> It was so small.

[00:01:42]>> And those first stressful mornings.

[00:01:45]>> Waking up early, running to catch the bus.

[00:01:48]>> Exactly. Feel that morning air. Hear the alarm clock.

[00:01:51]>> I can hear it ringing right now in my head.

[00:01:54]>> Perfect. When people talk about their first job, >> yeah, >> they usually talk about two things.

[00:02:00]>> Just two, >> just two. First, how life felt.

[00:02:04]>> How life felt. Okay.

[00:02:06]>> Second, what existed in their life.

[00:02:09]>> What existed like the things around them.

[00:02:12]>> Spot on.

[00:02:13]>> And that's where was and had appear.

[00:02:16]>> Exactly. This is the golden rule.

[00:02:18]Olivia, >> I am writing this down.

[00:02:20]>> Was equals your condition. was equals condition. Got it?

[00:02:27]>> And had equals something in your life.

[00:02:31]>> Had equals something in my life. Okay.

[00:02:35]>> Let's start with the first part.

[00:02:36]>> The was part.

[00:02:38]>> Yes. Part one. Was and were.

[00:02:40]>> Feelings and conditions.

[00:02:43]>> Right. Tell me a story, Olivia. Close your eyes.

[00:02:46]>> Okay. Eyes closed.

[00:02:48]>> Take me back to your very first job. Oh boy. Honestly, my first job was terrifying.

[00:02:58]>> Oh, why? Paint a picture for me.

[00:03:00]>> Well, I walked into this big glass building.

[00:03:04]>> Uh-huh.

[00:03:05]>> And my hands were shaking.

[00:03:07]>> I see.

[00:03:08]>> I was shy.

[00:03:09]>> Mhm.

[00:03:10]>> I was nervous >> naturally.

[00:03:12]>> And I was always exhausted.

[00:03:15]>> Wow. Shy, nervous, exhausted.

[00:03:19]>> Yes. It felt like a heavy weight on my shoulders.

[00:03:23]>> Notice the words you used, Olivia.

[00:03:25]>> I used was >> exactly. You didn't say I had shy.

[00:03:30]>> Oh, no. That sounds totally wrong.

[00:03:32]>> Because shy is a feeling. It's a condition.

[00:03:35]>> That makes sense. I was shy.

[00:03:38]>> Let's give our listeners more examples, real ones.

[00:03:42]>> Okay, let me think about the office.

[00:03:44]>> Picture the room. What was it like?

[00:03:46]>> Oh, the office was noisy. Excellent. The office was noisy. Condition.

[00:03:52]>> Phones were ringing everywhere.

[00:03:55]>> Right. What about the pressure?

[00:03:57]>> Oh my gosh. I was under pressure every single day.

[00:04:01]>> I was under pressure. Perfect example.

[00:04:04]>> Because under pressure is how I felt.

[00:04:07]>> You bet. How about your team?

[00:04:09]>> Luckily, my co-workers were friendly.

[00:04:12]>> Were friendly because there's more than one co-orker, >> right? co-workers plural, so I use were.

[00:04:20]>> Spot on. But their friendliness was their condition.

[00:04:23]>> I get it now.

[00:04:25]>> What about your mornings?

[00:04:27]>> I was late every morning.

[00:04:29]>> Ha. Oops.

[00:04:31]>> The bus was always slow.

[00:04:33]>> Notice that the bus was slow. Condition.

[00:04:38]>> Yes. And what about the people buying things?

[00:04:41]>> The customers.

[00:04:42]>> Yes. The customers were impatient. Ouch.

[00:04:46]That is stressful.

[00:04:48]>> Very. They were tapping their fingers on the desk, looking at their watches.

[00:04:53]>> Brilliant imagery. So, let's look at all these sentences.

[00:04:57]>> Okay.

[00:04:58]>> I was under pressure.

[00:04:59]>> The office was noisy.

[00:05:01]>> My co-workers were friendly.

[00:05:03]>> I was late every morning.

[00:05:06]>> The customers were impatient.

[00:05:08]>> Wow. When you put them all together like that, >> notice something?

[00:05:12]>> They all paint a picture of the mood.

[00:05:14]Exactly. All these sentences describe feelings.

[00:05:18]>> Mhm.

[00:05:20]>> Situations, >> right, >> and conditions.

[00:05:23]>> It is literally just how the air felt in the room.

[00:05:27]>> Yes. Was describes what life felt like.

[00:05:31]>> I love that. What life felt like.

[00:05:34]>> So, if you want to tell someone about your emotions, >> I use was.

[00:05:38]>> If you want to describe the weather that day, >> I use was. The weather was cold.

[00:05:45]>> Perfect. Now, let's shift gears.

[00:05:47]>> Ooh, shifting gears. Where are we going?

[00:05:50]>> We are moving to part two.

[00:05:52]>> The had part.

[00:05:54]>> Yes. Things, experiences, and responsibilities.

[00:05:58]>> This is where I usually get mixed up.

[00:06:00]>> Not anymore. Let's go back to your story.

[00:06:03]>> Okay. Back in the noisy office.

[00:06:06]>> You were shy. You were nervous. And honestly, Michael, I had too many responsibilities.

[00:06:13]>> Wa! Your first job was intense.

[00:06:16]>> It really was.

[00:06:17]>> What else did you have? Look around your desk in your memory.

[00:06:21]>> Well, I had a huge pile of papers.

[00:06:24]>> A physical thing. You had it.

[00:06:26]>> Exactly. And I had difficult clients.

[00:06:30]>> Ah, people in your life. You had them.

[00:06:33]>> Yes. I had long meetings.

[00:06:36]>> Mhm. And I had almost no free time.

[00:06:39]>> Boom. Look at what you just did.

[00:06:41]Naturally, >> I used had for all of those >> because those are not feelings.

[00:06:46]>> Right. A meeting is not a feeling.

[00:06:49]>> A difficult client is a person, not a condition.

[00:06:52]>> And free time is a thing you possess or don't possess.

[00:06:57]>> Exactly. You didn't say I was long meetings.

[00:07:01]>> No, that would mean I am the meeting, >> right? had talks about things that belong to your story.

[00:07:08]>> It is like an inventory, a list of things in my bag.

[00:07:12]>> That is a brilliant way to think about it, Olivia.

[00:07:15]>> Really?

[00:07:16]>> Yes. Imagine a backpack. What is inside it?

[00:07:19]>> Let's see. A strict manager.

[00:07:22]>> Yes, I had a strict manager.

[00:07:24]>> Deadlines.

[00:07:26]>> We had too many deadlines.

[00:07:28]>> What about something inside me like confidence?

[00:07:31]>> Good question. Confidence is a thing you possess.

[00:07:35]>> So, I had no confidence.

[00:07:38]>> Spot on. I had no confidence.

[00:07:40]>> Wow. What about money?

[00:07:43]>> Well, think of a coworker. Let's call her Sarah.

[00:07:46]>> Okay. Sarah. She worked at the desk next to me.

[00:07:49]>> Did she make good money?

[00:07:51]>> No, she had a small salary.

[00:07:54]>> Exactly. She had a small salary >> because a salary is a thing she receives. What about your team's routine?

[00:08:03]>> Oh, they had a stressful schedule.

[00:08:06]>> They had a stressful schedule.

[00:08:08]>> This is making so much sense right now.

[00:08:10]>> Let me summarize this part.

[00:08:12]>> Go ahead.

[00:08:13]>> Had talks about things.

[00:08:16]>> Things check.

[00:08:18]>> Responsibilities.

[00:08:19]>> Responsibilities check.

[00:08:22]>> Experiences.

[00:08:23]>> Experiences check.

[00:08:26]>> And problems.

[00:08:27]>> Oh, definitely problems. I had many problems.

[00:08:32]>> We all did at our first jobs.

[00:08:34]>> True.

[00:08:35]>> So remember this rule. Had describes what existed in your life.

[00:08:40]>> What existed in my life?

[00:08:42]>> Not how you felt.

[00:08:43]>> No.

[00:08:44]>> But what you were holding, dealing with, or facing.

[00:08:47]>> Like holding a schedule, dealing with a boss, facing a deadline.

[00:08:53]>> You absolutely nailed it.

[00:08:55]>> Wow. I feel like a light bulb just turned on in my head. That is the best feeling for a teacher.

[00:09:01]>> So, we have was for the mood >> and had for the things you carry.

[00:09:06]>> I am so ready to practice this.

[00:09:08]>> Are you sure? Because the next part gets a little tricky.

[00:09:12]>> Bring it on, Michael. I am not scared anymore.

[00:09:15]>> All right, then. We are going to do something I call the cinematic comparison.

[00:09:20]>> Ooh, cinematic. Sounds like a movie.

[00:09:24]>> Exactly. We are going to look at the same story.

[00:09:27]>> Mhm. but from two different camera angles.

[00:09:30]>> Angle one and angle two. I like it.

[00:09:33]>> Let's see if you can feel the difference.

[00:09:36]>> Okay, camera rolling. Action.

[00:09:39]>> Action. Angle one is how you felt. Tell me about the stress.

[00:09:44]>> Well, I was stressed.

[00:09:46]>> Boom. I was stressed. That is a feeling.

[00:09:49]Camera angle one.

[00:09:51]>> Right. Because my heart was beating fast.

[00:09:54]>> Exactly. Now switch the camera angle.

[00:09:57]Tell me the situation.

[00:09:59]>> Oh. Um, I had too much work.

[00:10:03]>> Excellent. I had too much work. The situation. Camera angle two.

[00:10:08]>> Wow. They describe the exact same moment.

[00:10:12]>> Indeed. Same story, different meanings.

[00:10:15]Let's do another.

[00:10:16]>> Hit me.

[00:10:17]>> How did your body feel at 5:00 p.m.?

[00:10:20]>> I was exhausted.

[00:10:23]>> Condition angle one. Now switch to angle two. Why were you exhausted?

[00:10:29]>> Because I had no experience.

[00:10:32]>> Boom. Something in your life. Angle two.

[00:10:36]>> This is so cool. It feels like a movie.

[00:10:39]>> You see the image clearly now, right?

[00:10:42]>> I totally see it. I was exhausted. I had no experience.

[00:10:47]>> Perfect. One more scene.

[00:10:50]>> Bring it on.

[00:10:51]>> Your stomach is growling. Oh, I was hungry.

[00:10:55]>> Angle one, condition switch.

[00:10:58]>> Let me think. I had no time for lunch.

[00:11:02]>> Brilliant. You had a problem. Angle two.

[00:11:05]>> I was hungry. Condition. I had no time.

[00:11:09]Problem.

[00:11:10]>> Same story, different meanings.

[00:11:12]>> I am loving this camera trick.

[00:11:15]>> It helps you visualize the grammar, doesn't it?

[00:11:18]>> Totally. It feels so natural. Now, >> don't celebrate just yet.

[00:11:23]>> Uh-oh. Why not?

[00:11:24]>> Because it is time to enter the mistake lab.

[00:11:28]>> The mistake lab? That sounds dangerous.

[00:11:32]>> Grab your safety goggles, Olivia.

[00:11:34]>> Okay, goggles are on.

[00:11:36]>> Let's look at the classic traps English learners fall into.

[00:11:40]>> Oh boy, I bet I have made all of these mistakes.

[00:11:44]>> First mistake on the examination table.

[00:11:46]>> I am looking. A student says, "I had nervous."

[00:11:51]>> Ouch. That sounds so wrong to my ears.

[00:11:54]Now, >> why is it wrong, Dr. Olivia?

[00:11:57]>> Because nervous is a feeling in your stomach.

[00:12:00]>> Exactly. You don't possess a nervous.

[00:12:04]>> Right. The correct sentence is I was nervous.

[00:12:09]>> Excellent. Let's look at mistake number two.

[00:12:12]>> Bring out the next patient. A student says, "I was no experience."

[00:12:18]>> Oh, no, no, no.

[00:12:19]>> What is the diagnosis?

[00:12:21]>> Experience is a thing you carry in your brain.

[00:12:25]>> Mhm.

[00:12:26]>> It is not a condition you turn into.

[00:12:28]>> Exactly. You are not literally an experience.

[00:12:33]>> So, it must be I had no experience.

[00:12:37]>> Spot on. You are doing great in the lab.

[00:12:41]I am feeling like a grammar scientist.

[00:12:44]>> Let's try a really tricky one.

[00:12:47]>> I am ready.

[00:12:49]>> My boss had angry.

[00:12:52]>> Oh, wait. I hear people say that a lot.

[00:12:56]>> Yes. This is where English learners panic >> because in some languages you say have anger.

[00:13:03]>> Exactly. But in English >> angry is an emotion. A red face.

[00:13:09]Shouting. Right. It is a condition.

[00:13:12]>> So it has to be my boss was angry.

[00:13:17]>> Boom. You fixed it.

[00:13:20]>> The mistake lab is intense.

[00:13:23]>> But necessary. Classic confusion cleared up.

[00:13:27]>> I will never say I had nervous again.

[00:13:31]>> Promise.

[00:13:32]>> I promise. Cross my heart.

[00:13:35]>> All right, scientist. Take off the goggles.

[00:13:37]>> Goggles are off. What is next?

[00:13:40]>> It is time for the ultimate test.

[00:13:43]>> A test? I thought you said no rules.

[00:13:47]>> No rules, just a real life conversation.

[00:13:50]>> Oh, okay.

[00:13:52]>> We are going to role play.

[00:13:54]>> I love role playinging. Who am I?

[00:13:57]>> You are yourself walking out of your very first day of work.

[00:14:01]>> Oh gosh. Way back then.

[00:14:03]>> And I am your best friend calling you on the phone.

[00:14:07]>> Ring ring. Hello, Olivia. How was your first day?

[00:14:12]>> Oh, Michael, my first day was horrible.

[00:14:16]>> Oh, no. What happened?

[00:14:18]>> Well, first of all, I was late.

[00:14:21]>> Late on your first day? Ouch.

[00:14:24]>> I know. I was so stressed.

[00:14:26]>> I can imagine your heart pounding.

[00:14:29]>> It was. And when I walked in, the office was so quiet.

[00:14:34]>> Awkward.

[00:14:36]>> Exactly. Everybody was staring at me.

[00:14:39]>> That sounds so uncomfortable.

[00:14:41]>> It was a nightmare.

[00:14:43]>> Did they give you a lot of work?

[00:14:46]>> Yes. I had almost no idea what to do.

[00:14:49]>> Oh, that is the worst feeling.

[00:14:52]>> And suddenly I had too many tasks on my desk.

[00:14:56]>> Just a big mountain of paper.

[00:14:58]>> A massive mountain. And worse, >> what? Tell me.

[00:15:02]>> I had a very strict manager. Oh snap.

[00:15:07]Was she mean?

[00:15:08]>> She wasn't mean, but she was very serious.

[00:15:12]>> Mhm. Serious is a condition. Good job.

[00:15:16]>> Stay in character, Michael.

[00:15:19]>> Right. Sorry. Best friend mode back on.

[00:15:22]>> So, anyway, I had all these tasks.

[00:15:25]>> Uh-huh.

[00:15:25]>> And I had a splitting headache.

[00:15:28]>> A headache? Yes. That is something you have >> because a headache is a physical problem.

[00:15:33]>> Brilliant. Did you survive the day?

[00:15:36]>> Barely. I was so happy when 5:00 p.m.

[00:15:39]arrived.

[00:15:40]>> You mean the day was finally over?

[00:15:42]>> Yes. I ran out of there.

[00:15:46]>> What a crazy story.

[00:15:47]>> Wait a minute.

[00:15:48]>> What is it?

[00:15:49]>> I just used was and had perfectly for that whole story.

[00:15:53]>> You sure did.

[00:15:54]>> And I didn't even think about the grammar.

[00:15:57]>> That is the secret, Olivia.

[00:15:59]>> Really? Just talking.

[00:16:01]>> Yes. When you imagine the story in your head, >> the grammar just naturally fixes itself.

[00:16:07]>> Exactly. The pictures in your mind tell you the right words.

[00:16:11]>> I saw the mountain of papers, so I said I had.

[00:16:15]>> Yes.

[00:16:16]>> I felt the stress in my chest, so I said I was.

[00:16:20]>> This part makes the viewers forget they are even learning grammar.

[00:16:24]>> I totally forgot. I was just remembering my strict boss. Mission accomplished.

[00:16:31]Let's do a quick mental summary to lock this in.

[00:16:35]>> Lock it down forever.

[00:16:37]>> Whenever you are about to speak.

[00:16:39]>> Mhm.

[00:16:40]>> And you were talking about the past, >> right?

[00:16:43]>> Just ask yourself, am I describing a feeling?

[00:16:47]>> If yes, use was.

[00:16:49]>> I was tired.

[00:16:51]>> The room was hot.

[00:16:53]>> Perfect. Was equals how I felt. And if I am describing a thing or a problem, >> then use had.

[00:17:02]>> I had a headache.

[00:17:04]>> I had an interview.

[00:17:05]>> Had equals what existed in your life.

[00:17:09]>> Boom. You are a master now.

[00:17:11]>> It feels so clear now.

[00:17:14]>> Let me share a golden rule with you and the viewers.

[00:17:17]>> Ooh, a golden rule. Tell me.

[00:17:21]>> Native speakers don't think about grammar rules.

[00:17:24]>> They don't >> never. They think about meaning.

[00:17:28]>> Meaning >> they see a picture in their head and they describe it.

[00:17:33]>> So if we want to speak like natives, >> we need to see the pictures too.

[00:17:39]>> Was for the colors and feelings >> and had for the objects and events.

[00:17:44]>> That changes everything for me.

[00:17:47]>> I am so glad to hear that.

[00:17:49]>> I can't wait to practice this more.

[00:17:51]>> Well, you are in luck.

[00:17:53]>> Why? Because it is time for our viewers to practice, too.

[00:17:56]>> Oh, yes. Homework time. But the fun kind.

[00:18:00]>> Exactly. We want to hear from you guys in the comments.

[00:18:03]>> Tell us about your very first job.

[00:18:06]>> Close your eyes. Picture that first week >> and write two sentences for us.

[00:18:12]>> Sentence one starting with I was.

[00:18:15]>> Describe how you felt like I was excited. Sentence two starting with I had >> describe something you faced like I had a nice desk.

[00:18:29]>> We read all your comments and we can't wait to see your stories >> because your real life stories are the best way to learn English.

[00:18:37]>> Absolutely true.

[00:18:38]>> This was such a great lesson, Michael.

[00:18:41]>> Thank you, Olivia. You did great. And if you guys found this video helpful, >> don't forget to hit subscribe >> and smash that like button.

[00:18:51]>> It helps our channel grow so we can keep making these >> and share it with a friend who is learning English, too.

[00:18:57]>> Excellent idea. Learning together is always better.

[00:19:01]>> Totally.

[00:19:02]>> All right, everyone. Keep visualizing.

[00:19:05]Keep practicing.

[00:19:06]>> And remember, English is just painting pictures with words.

[00:19:11]>> Well said. We will see you in the next lesson.

[00:19:14]>> Goodbye.

[00:19:15]>> Bye everyone.

[00:19:17]>> Have a great day.