How to Use Was Were & Went in Real English Conversations | Talking about Yesterday

Added: 2026-05-11

[00:00:00]Michael, quick question.

[00:00:02]>> Uhoh, I know that voice. What is it, Olivia?

[00:00:05]>> What is the difference between >> Ah, let me guess. English grammar.

[00:00:11]>> Yes. [laughter] I am so confused today.

[00:00:15]>> Okay. Shoot. Tell me >> what is the difference between saying >> Mhm.

[00:00:20]>> I was at the cafe.

[00:00:22]>> Okay.

[00:00:23]>> And we were at the mall, >> right? And I went home early.

[00:00:30]>> Oh wow. Yeah, >> it is too much.

[00:00:34]>> That's the problem right there.

[00:00:36]>> What is my English?

[00:00:38]>> No. No. There is a huge confusion for everyone between was, were, and went.

[00:00:44]>> Exactly. Yesterday I mixed everything up.

[00:00:48]>> I hear it all the time from learners.

[00:00:50]>> I feel like I can't speak about the past without sounding silly. Listen to me very carefully. Olivia, >> I am listening.

[00:00:59]>> You don't have a grammar problem.

[00:01:02]>> I don't?

[00:01:03]>> Nope. You have a yesterday problem.

[00:01:06]>> A yesterday problem. What does that mean?

[00:01:09]>> It means you just need to know how to tell a story naturally.

[00:01:13]>> But stories need complicated grammar.

[00:01:16]>> Not exactly. Today you'll learn how to talk about yesterday naturally in English. naturally like a real native speaker.

[00:01:25]>> Absolutely. Like a real English speaker.

[00:01:28]>> I really need this.

[00:01:30]>> And hey, before we dive in, if you want to master real English, >> make sure to hit that subscribe button and like this video right now.

[00:01:38]>> Exactly. Do it so you never miss a lesson. Ready, Olivia?

[00:01:42]>> I am so ready. Where do we start?

[00:01:45]>> Relax. Take a deep breath.

[00:01:47]>> Okay. Breathing in and out.

[00:01:52]>> [sighs] >> There are absolutely no grammar rules today.

[00:01:56]>> Perfect. Oh my gosh, I hate grammar.

[00:01:59]>> I know you do.

[00:02:01]>> It just makes my brain freeze and I panic.

[00:02:04]>> Good, because today is just storytelling. Pure imagination.

[00:02:09]>> I love stories. I can definitely do stories.

[00:02:14]>> Imagine we are just drinking coffee together at a nice place. M I have my coffee right here in my hand.

[00:02:22]>> Awesome. Okay, Olivia, tell me about yesterday.

[00:02:27]>> Oh no.

[00:02:29]>> What? What happened?

[00:02:30]>> Yesterday was chaotic.

[00:02:33]>> Perfect.

[00:02:34]>> Perfect. It was crazy and exhausting.

[00:02:37]>> That's the best kind of English practice. A busy day.

[00:02:43]>> Okay, if you say so.

[00:02:45]>> I do. So, paint a picture for me. Where did your day start?

[00:02:51]>> Well, yesterday morning.

[00:02:54]>> Yeah.

[00:02:55]>> I was at a cafe with my cousin.

[00:02:57]>> Stop right there. Perfect.

[00:03:00]>> Was it correct?

[00:03:01]>> Absolutely perfect. I was at a cafe.

[00:03:05]>> Oh, awesome. I didn't even think about it.

[00:03:09]>> Exactly. You naturally used was.

[00:03:12]>> I did. But why is it correct in my story?

[00:03:16]>> Because was equals your situation or your place yesterday.

[00:03:22]>> My situation or my place.

[00:03:25]>> Exactly. Imagine a camera taking a photo of you.

[00:03:30]>> Okay. Click.

[00:03:32]>> Yes. In that photo, where are you sitting?

[00:03:36]>> I am sitting at the cafe.

[00:03:39]>> But the photo was taken yesterday. So, >> oh, I was at the cafe.

[00:03:45]>> Boom. That's it.

[00:03:46]>> Wow. It's like a visual snapshot in time.

[00:03:50]>> Exactly. A mental image.

[00:03:52]>> So, it's just about where I was sitting or standing.

[00:03:56]>> Yes. Let's try some real life examples to lock it in.

[00:04:00]>> Okay. I am ready for the test.

[00:04:03]>> Where were you on Friday night?

[00:04:05]>> Oh, um, I was at the cinema.

[00:04:09]>> Perfect. Do you see the picture in your head?

[00:04:12]>> Yes, I see myself eating a big box of popcorn.

[00:04:17]>> Now, think about your sister. Where was she?

[00:04:20]>> She was at my house.

[00:04:23]>> Excellent. She was at your house.

[00:04:24]Another picture.

[00:04:25]>> This is incredibly easy.

[00:04:27]>> What about your brother? Where was he?

[00:04:29]>> He [snorts] He was on the bus.

[00:04:33]>> Awesome. He was on the bus >> because that was his exact location in the picture. You got it. It's just a single location.

[00:04:42]>> Can this word be used with people, too?

[00:04:46]>> Great question. Give it a try.

[00:04:49]>> M I was with my friends.

[00:04:52]>> Spot on.

[00:04:54]>> Wow. So, was is for places and people.

[00:04:59]>> Yes. It is your environment yesterday.

[00:05:02]The atmosphere.

[00:05:04]>> I love this mental idea. It takes the pressure off. Right. Was simply describes your exact moment yesterday.

[00:05:14]>> It describes my moment. I need to write that golden rule down.

[00:05:20]>> No writing, just imagining.

[00:05:23][laughter] >> Okay. No pens allowed in this class.

[00:05:27]>> So, if it's just you or just one person in the picture, >> I use the word was.

[00:05:34]>> Correct. I was, he was, she was.

[00:05:39]>> Okay. The single snapshot is crystal clear.

[00:05:44]>> But your yesterday was chaotic, right?

[00:05:47]>> Oh, yeah. Very chaotic. A lot of drama.

[00:05:51]>> So, the story gets bigger.

[00:05:54]>> Much bigger. More noise, more movement, >> more people entered your story.

[00:06:00]>> Yes. My cousins, my crazy friends.

[00:06:04]>> Okay. So, tell me what happened next in the story.

[00:06:07]>> Well, after the cafe.

[00:06:10]>> Yeah, keep going.

[00:06:12]>> We were downtown last night.

[00:06:14]>> Excellent. Stop right there.

[00:06:16]>> We were. I said it.

[00:06:18]>> You did. And it sounded completely natural >> because there were more people with me.

[00:06:24]>> Boom. Exactly. You felt the difference.

[00:06:27]>> So, I just changed the word naturally.

[00:06:30]>> Yes. Were is simply the plural story.

[00:06:34]plural story. I really like the sound of that.

[00:06:38]>> Imagine the camera zooms out now.

[00:06:40]>> Okay. Zooming out.

[00:06:43]>> Now the picture's wider. It's not just you alone anymore.

[00:06:47]>> Ah, it's a big group photo now.

[00:06:50]>> Exactly. A group photo means you use were.

[00:06:54]>> This makes so much visual sense to me.

[00:06:57]>> Let's practice with the group photo concept.

[00:07:00]>> I am ready. Throw me some daily situations.

[00:07:03]>> Imagine you and your entire family on summer vacation.

[00:07:07]>> Oh, I miss summer. We were at the beach.

[00:07:11]>> Perfect. Wide photo, many people, sand and sun.

[00:07:15]>> We were at the beach. Got it.

[00:07:18]>> What about driving home during crazy rush hour?

[00:07:21]>> H terrible feeling. They were in traffic.

[00:07:26]>> Excellent. They were in traffic >> because they is a group of angry drivers.

[00:07:32]>> Haha, you are mastering this without any grammar rules.

[00:07:36]>> The anti- grammar magic is working.

[00:07:39]>> Okay, another one. You invited friends over, but the clock is ticking.

[00:07:44]>> Oh, I hate that. My friends were late.

[00:07:48]>> Awesome. My friends were late >> because friends equals plural.

[00:07:53]>> True. Let's do one more for the perfect evening out. [clears throat] >> We were at a beautiful restaurant.

[00:08:01]>> Yes, a big table, lots of food, lots of laughing.

[00:08:05]>> We were at a restaurant. I can literally see the visual.

[00:08:09]>> Now, let's do a smart comparison to lock it all in.

[00:08:12]>> A smart comparison sounds very serious.

[00:08:16]>> It's super easy. Just listen to this difference.

[00:08:19]>> I'm all ears.

[00:08:20]>> I was at the park.

[00:08:22]>> Okay. Single snapshot, just you sitting on a bench.

[00:08:26]>> But we were at the park.

[00:08:28]>> Oh, the camera zoomed out. It's a group photo now.

[00:08:32]>> Exactly. You see the shift?

[00:08:34]>> Okay, so it's literally one person versus many people.

[00:08:39]>> You nailed it, Olivia. Totally.

[00:08:41]>> I was, we were. It's almost like a musical rhythm.

[00:08:46]>> It is. It flows naturally when you speak.

[00:08:48]>> I was at home. We were at home. See, no stress, no overthinking.

[00:08:55]>> He was at the mall. They were at the mall.

[00:08:58]>> You are officially speaking like a native English speaker.

[00:09:01]>> Ha, thank you. I feel powerful today.

[00:09:05]>> Let's quickly review the mental pictures to be absolutely sure.

[00:09:08]>> Okay, test me. I am confident.

[00:09:12]>> The small picture, just you. What is the magic word?

[00:09:16]>> Was definitely was >> the big picture. Your whole crew. What is the word >> were? The plural story.

[00:09:24]>> Absolutely brilliant.

[00:09:26]>> But Michael, wait a minute.

[00:09:28]>> Uh-oh. What happened? Did the brain freeze again?

[00:09:31]>> No. No. But pictures are great.

[00:09:34]Snapshots are nice.

[00:09:35]>> Yes, they set the scene.

[00:09:37]>> But my yesterday wasn't just photos.

[00:09:40]>> Oh, I know.

[00:09:41]>> I didn't just sit in one single place all day long.

[00:09:45]>> Of course not. You were moving around the city.

[00:09:47]>> Yes. We didn't stay downtown forever.

[00:09:50]>> Life is all about movement and action.

[00:09:53]>> Exactly. We got bored and wanted to do something else.

[00:09:57]>> So, the picture changes into a video.

[00:09:59]>> A video. Yes, that's the perfect word.

[00:10:02]>> The story must move forward.

[00:10:05]>> But how do I say that in English?

[00:10:08]>> How do you think you say it?

[00:10:10]>> Well, if was and were are for staying in one place.

[00:10:14]>> Mhm. Keep thinking. I need a new word for going somewhere else.

[00:10:19]>> You already said it earlier when you were confused.

[00:10:22]>> Did I? I don't remember.

[00:10:24]>> Think about your chaotic night.

[00:10:26]>> Okay. Cafe downtown.

[00:10:30]>> And then what? Where did you move to?

[00:10:32]>> Ah, after dinner.

[00:10:34]>> Yes. Say it.

[00:10:36]>> We went to the mall.

[00:10:38]>> Boom. Stop the video right there.

[00:10:40]>> We went. That's the action word. Now that sounds like a real natural story.

[00:10:46]>> Really, it fits perfectly.

[00:10:48]>> It is the exact missing piece of the puzzle.

[00:10:51]>> Went. It feels fast like energy.

[00:10:55]>> That's because went equals movement and destination.

[00:10:58]>> Movement like driving, walking, taking a taxi.

[00:11:03]>> Exactly. It's your destination word. It changes the scene.

[00:11:07]>> Oh, I love that destination word. While was and were are the static places, >> went is the actual journey between them.

[00:11:17]>> Olivia, you are a natural English teacher. [laughter] >> Maybe I will steal your job soon, Michael.

[00:11:24]>> I would be very proud.

[00:11:26]>> So, every time I change the location, I use went.

[00:11:31]>> Yes, it aggressively moves your story forward.

[00:11:34]>> That is such a strong idea. It moves the story forward. Let's think of some high energy daily examples to prove it.

[00:11:43]>> Like city life and fun outings.

[00:11:46]>> Exactly. Things people do every single day.

[00:11:49]>> Like, oh, I went home early.

[00:11:52]>> Awesome. Movement back to your house.

[00:11:55]>> What about busy weekends?

[00:11:57]>> Tell me a weekend story.

[00:11:59]>> We went shopping.

[00:12:01]>> Excellent. Movement to the stores.

[00:12:03]Grabbing bags.

[00:12:05]>> She went out last night.

[00:12:07]>> Perfect. movement to the nightife and fun.

[00:12:10]>> They went to a loud concert.

[00:12:12]>> Yes. Moving directly to the music venue.

[00:12:16]>> Wow. Went is really, really active.

[00:12:19]>> It is the action movie of your English sentence.

[00:12:23]>> An action movie. I like that visual a lot.

[00:12:26]>> Was and were are just the quiet background scenes.

[00:12:30]>> And went is the fast car driving to the next scene. You completely understand the secret now.

[00:12:38]>> I can't believe I used to mix them up so badly.

[00:12:41]>> Everyone does because they think of boring grammar rules.

[00:12:45]>> But thinking about pictures and movies is so much easier >> because our brains naturally love and remember images.

[00:12:53]>> My brain definitely prefers images over textbooks any day.

[00:12:58]>> So, we have the three golden pieces. the snapshot, the group photo, and the video.

[00:13:06]>> But to speak fluently like a true native, >> I need to put them all together, right?

[00:13:12]>> Exactly. Are you ready to build the ultimate story?

[00:13:15]>> I am so ready. Let's build this ultimate story.

[00:13:19]>> Awesome. This is where the real magic happens.

[00:13:23]>> No grammar rules, just pictures and movies.

[00:13:27]>> Exactly. I want you to combine the three pieces. was, were and went.

[00:13:34]>> Yes. Tell me about yesterday in one smooth flow.

[00:13:38]>> Okay. Let me visualize it first.

[00:13:41]>> Take your time. See the pictures in your head.

[00:13:45]>> I see it. Yesterday.

[00:13:48]>> Yeah.

[00:13:49]>> I was at a cafe.

[00:13:51]>> Perfect snapshot. Keep going.

[00:13:54]>> My friends were downtown.

[00:13:57]>> Great group photo. And then >> and later we went to the cinema.

[00:14:02]>> Boom.

[00:14:04]>> Did I do it?

[00:14:05]>> You just spoke perfect, flawless English.

[00:14:09]>> Wow, it felt so easy >> because it sounds like a real story, not a grammar test.

[00:14:15]>> I didn't even think about verbs or past tense.

[00:14:19]>> You just described your day like a movie director.

[00:14:22]>> Scene one, I was. Scene two, they were.

[00:14:27]seemed three. We went >> absolutely brilliant. You are a natural.

[00:14:33]>> Thank you. But right, >> what is it?

[00:14:37]>> Sometimes I still hear people making mistakes.

[00:14:41]>> Ah, yes. The classic confusion.

[00:14:44]>> Even I make them when I speak too fast.

[00:14:47]>> Well, it is time to open the mistake lab.

[00:14:50]>> The mistake lab? Do I need safety goggles?

[00:14:55]No, just your ears and your imagination.

[00:14:58]>> Okay, I am stepping into the lab.

[00:15:01]>> Your audience loves this part because everyone makes these errors.

[00:15:05]>> Definitely. It makes us feel normal.

[00:15:07]>> Let's look at error number one.

[00:15:09]>> Hit me with it.

[00:15:11]>> We was at the mall.

[00:15:13]>> Oh no. Ew, that sounds so wrong now.

[00:15:16]>> Why is it wrong, Olivia?

[00:15:18]>> Because we is a group photo.

[00:15:21]>> Exactly. and was is only for a single snapshot.

[00:15:25]>> You cannot put a group into a single snapshot word.

[00:15:28]>> So the fix is we were at the mall.

[00:15:32]>> Spot on. Let's test the second mistake.

[00:15:35]>> I am ready. I am the mistake detective.

[00:15:38]Now >> I were with Sarah. [laughter] >> No, that is completely backwards.

[00:15:46]>> Why? Explain it to the listeners.

[00:15:48]>> I is just me. One person, one camera click.

[00:15:52]>> Yes.

[00:15:53]>> So, it has to be I was with Sarah.

[00:15:57]>> Excellent. The image has to match the word.

[00:16:01]>> This is incredibly logical.

[00:16:04]>> Now for the biggest mistake of all.

[00:16:06]>> Oh boy, the final boss.

[00:16:09]>> I was go home.

[00:16:11]>> Oh, I used to say that all the time.

[00:16:15]>> Everyone does. I was go or I was went.

[00:16:20]>> Why do we do that? It sounds so messy.

[00:16:23]>> Because your brain is trying to use a static picture and movement together.

[00:16:28]>> Ah, you can't be a picture and a video at the same time.

[00:16:33]>> Exactly. It is a traffic jam in your brain.

[00:16:36]>> That makes so much sense.

[00:16:38]>> If you are moving to your house, what is the only word you need?

[00:16:43]>> I just need the action word. I went home. Boom. Just went. No was needed.

[00:16:50]>> I went home. We went shopping. Clean and simple.

[00:16:54]>> See, this is exactly why learners get confused.

[00:16:58]>> They mix the pictures with the videos.

[00:17:00]>> Totally. But now your brain separates them.

[00:17:04]>> I feel like a massive heavy weight is gone from my shoulders.

[00:17:10]>> That is the feeling of true fluency. I really want to test this in a real conversation.

[00:17:17]>> You want a real challenge?

[00:17:19]>> Yes. Give me a real life scenario.

[00:17:22]>> Let's do a role play right now.

[00:17:24]>> Oh, acting. I love acting. Let's do it.

[00:17:28]>> Imagine we bump into each other on the street.

[00:17:30]>> Okay. I am walking, drinking my coffee.

[00:17:34]>> It's the morning after your crazy night out.

[00:17:37]>> Got it. I look very tired. [laughter] >> Action. Hey Olivia.

[00:17:43]>> Oh hey Michael.

[00:17:44]>> So how was your night?

[00:17:46]>> Honestly it was so fun.

[00:17:49]>> Oh yeah. What'd you do?

[00:17:51]>> Well first I was with my cousins.

[00:17:53]>> Sounds nice.

[00:17:54]>> Yeah. We were at a beautiful rooftop cafe.

[00:17:58]>> Wow. A rooftop >> and after that we went to the beach.

[00:18:03]>> Wow. That sounds like a movie >> and scene.

[00:18:07]>> Outstanding. Give yourself a round of applause. That was completely natural.

[00:18:13]You didn't hesitate at all.

[00:18:15]>> No grammar rules, no pausing to think.

[00:18:18]>> Just pure natural flow.

[00:18:21]>> You've answered a real question beautifully.

[00:18:23]>> I just painted the pictures for you.

[00:18:26]>> I saw the cousins. I saw the rooftop. I saw the beach.

[00:18:30]>> This is honestly a superpower.

[00:18:32]>> It is. Now you know the secret of native speakers.

[00:18:36]>> We just tell stories.

[00:18:38]>> Exactly. Let's do a quick mental summary for everyone listening.

[00:18:42]>> Yes. Let's lock it in their brains forever.

[00:18:46]>> First rule, what is was?

[00:18:48]>> Was is the single snapshot. One person, one place.

[00:18:53]>> Perfect. Second rule, what is were?

[00:18:56]>> Were is the group photo. Many people wide shot.

[00:19:00]>> Excellent. And the third rule, what is went?

[00:19:04]>> Went is the video. movement, action, changing destinations.

[00:19:09]>> You have mastered the yesterday problem.

[00:19:12]>> The yesterday problem is officially solved.

[00:19:15]>> Here is your golden sentence for today.

[00:19:18]>> I am writing this one in my mind.

[00:19:20]>> English is easier when you tell stories.

[00:19:23]>> English is easier when you tell stories.

[00:19:26]I love that.

[00:19:27]>> Forget the rules. Focus on the image.

[00:19:30]>> My confidence is through the roof right now.

[00:19:33]>> I can hear it in your voice. I want to hear stories from our listeners now.

[00:19:38]>> Absolutely. It is their turn to practice.

[00:19:40]>> Yes, we have a challenge for you guys.

[00:19:42]>> Look at the comments section right now.

[00:19:45]>> Open your keyboards.

[00:19:46]>> We want you to tell us about your yesterday.

[00:19:49]>> Tell us your yesterday like a real English speaker.

[00:19:52]>> Write three simple sentences for us.

[00:19:55]>> Sentence one starts with yesterday I was.

[00:19:59]>> Sentence two starts with we were. And sentence three starts with, "I went."

[00:20:06]>> Connect them. Build your own mini movie.

[00:20:08]>> Show us your snapshots and your action scenes.

[00:20:11]>> Oh, wait. Before we go, if this lesson helped you today, >> please hit that like button and subscribe to our channel.

[00:20:18]>> Exactly. And share this with a friend who hates grammar.

[00:20:21]>> And don't forget to write your yesterday's story in the comments below.

[00:20:25]>> We can't wait to read them. Catch you in the next lesson.

[00:20:28]>> Bye, everyone. Bye-bye.