Micro-listening
There was or there were: how to choose
There was or there were: how do you choose?
Use 'there was' before a singular or uncountable noun, and 'there were' before a plural countable noun. For example, 'There were three parcels by the door.' Look at the main noun after the verb, not at 'there'. The same rule applies in questions and negatives: 'Was there any tea?' and 'There weren't any chairs.'
Key points
- 'There was' matches singular and uncountable nouns.
- 'There were' matches plural countable nouns.
- Look past 'there' to find the main noun.
- Use 'was there' and 'were there' in questions.
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At a glance
| Form | Use it for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| there was + singular noun | One person, thing, or event existed | There was a delay at the station. |
| there was + uncountable noun | A mass or substance existed | There was useful advice in the report. |
| there were + plural noun | Two or more countable things existed | There were four bikes outside. |
| was there / were there | Ask about past existence | Were there any emails for me? |
The full explanation
There was and there were establish existence in past time. There was indicates that a single item, person, or uncountable substance was present. There were indicates that multiple countable people or things existed. The structure places the true subject after the verb, directing your listener's attention to what was discovered or observed.
There was a broken latch on the side gate.
Why it works: Latch is a singular countable noun preceded by a, which requires was.
3 more examples
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There was fresh bread on the bakery counter.
Bread is an uncountable noun naming a food mass, so it takes was.
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There were five applicants waiting in the conference room.
Applicants is a plural countable noun preceded by a number, requiring were.
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Were there any questions about the new policy?
Questions is plural, so the past question begins with Were there.
Read the full guide
Try the listening exercise
Find the noun after the verb
English sentences usually place the subject before the verb, but sentences starting with there reverse this pattern. The introductory word there carries no grammatical number. Instead, your choice between was and were depends entirely on the noun phrase directly following the verb. When you look past the verb immediately, you see whether that noun is singular or plural. This simple habit prevents you from guessing based on the opening word.
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There was an open window on the ground floor.
Why it works: The noun window is singular, which requires the singular verb was.
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There were two open windows on the ground floor.
Why it works: The noun windows is plural, so the sentence requires were.
Your turn
Which word in 'There was a wet coat on the bench' determines whether to use was or were?
Answer: coat
Show the answer
Answer: coat
The noun coat comes directly after the verb phrase and names the single item that existed on the bench.
Match there was with single items
When your sentence introduces a single countable object, person, or event in the past, select there was. Countable nouns in the singular usually follow determiners such as a, an, one, or each. In workplace and daily conversations, people use this structure to report arrivals, missing items, or completed events. Checking for the article a or an before the noun gives you an instant signal that the verb must remain singular.
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There was a replacement key inside the desk drawer.
Why it works: Key is a single countable item preceded by a, so was is correct.
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There was an unexpected caller at five o'clock.
Why it works: Caller names one person, which pairs with was.
You can practise this again in Articles in English: How to Choose and Myself and John: How to Choose.
Your turn
Choose the correct verb for this report: 'There ___ a new printer in the supply room yesterday.'
Answer: was
Show the answer
Answer: was
Printer is a singular countable noun with the indefinite article a, so the past statement requires was.
Use there was for uncountable amounts
Uncountable nouns refer to materials, abstract qualities, liquids, or collective concepts that you cannot divide into individual units. Common workplace examples include information, paper, software, coffee, and traffic. Because uncountable nouns lack plural forms, treat them as singular subjects. Use there was whenever you describe the presence, absence, or quantity of an uncountable noun during a past event.
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There was enough fresh water for all the hikers.
Why it works: Water is uncountable, so it takes the singular past verb was.
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There was valuable feedback from the client after the presentation.
Why it works: Feedback is an uncountable noun in English and pairs with was.
Your turn
Select the sentence that uses correct subject agreement with an uncountable noun.
Answer: There was heavy snow across the valley.
Show the answer
Answer: There was heavy snow across the valley.
Snow is an uncountable substance, so it correctly pairs with there was.
Pair there were with multiple people or things
Select there were when the following noun refers to two or more separate items or individuals. Plural countable nouns often carry an -s or -es ending, although irregular forms like people, children, and teeth also follow this rule. If you can count the items individually, the past verb must reflect that plural count. Matching the verb to the plural form ensures your listener understands that multiple items existed.
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There were several empty desks near the back exit.
Why it works: Desks is a plural countable noun, so were is required.
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There were three maintenance workers outside the garage.
Why it works: Workers is plural, demanding the plural past verb were.
Your turn
Choose the correct phrase to complete: 'At noon, there ___ twenty people waiting in line.'
Answer: were
Show the answer
Answer: were
People is a plural noun naming multiple individuals, so were is the correct verb.
Use quantity clues to spot plural nouns
Quantity determiners give rapid clues about noun number before you finish reading the full sentence. Words such as many, several, a few, numerous, and cardinal numbers like four or twelve always signal plural countable nouns. When you hear or read one of these words right after the verb slot, pick there were without hesitation. By focusing on these indicators, you can speak more fluently during fast business updates.
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There were a few spare chairs in the hallway.
Why it works: A few signals a plural countable noun, chairs, which requires were.
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There were several minor corrections on the final invoice.
Why it works: Several indicates multiple countable corrections, requiring were.
Your turn
Complete the sentence: 'During the review, there ___ several errors on page four.'
Answer: were
Show the answer
Answer: were
The quantifier several introduces the plural countable noun errors, requiring were.
Invert the verb to ask past questions
To form questions about past existence, place was or were before there. The agreeing noun still follows there, so you must look ahead to that noun before selecting the opening verb. Ask was there when inquiring about a single item or an uncountable resource, and ask were there when asking about plural items. Maintaining this word order keeps inquiries precise and natural in interviews or investigations.
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Was there an answer to your inquiry this morning?
Why it works: Answer is singular, so the question begins with Was there.
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Were there any updates regarding the schedule change?
Why it works: Updates is plural, so the question begins with Were there.
Your turn
Which question is grammatically correct?
Answer: Were there enough notebooks for the trainees?
Show the answer
Answer: Were there enough notebooks for the trainees?
Notebooks is a plural countable noun, which correctly takes Were there.
Form clear negatives with wasn't and weren't
Negative statements combine was or were with not, usually contracted as wasn't or weren't in speech. The grammatical rule does not change: wasn't belongs with singular countable and uncountable nouns, while weren't belongs with plural nouns. Speakers often add words like any or much to reinforce the negative idea. Ensure your verb reflects the number of the noun rather than the presence of the negative particle.
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There wasn't any hot soup remaining in the kitchen.
Why it works: Soup is uncountable, so wasn't is the correct negative form.
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There weren't any spare tickets available for the noon train.
Why it works: Tickets is plural, which requires weren't.
Your turn
Choose the correct negative form: 'There ___ any clean towels in the cabinet yesterday.'
Answer: weren't
Show the answer
Answer: weren't
Towels is a plural countable noun, so the past negative requires weren't.
Separate the main noun from connecting phrases
Complex subjects often include prepositional phrases that insert extra nouns between the verb and the core idea. For instance, in a phrase like a box of envelopes, the head noun is box, not envelopes. Because box is singular, you must use there was. Conversely, phrases like five boxes of paper feature a plural head noun, requiring there were. Always isolate the primary container or group word to make the right agreement.
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There was a crate of ripe apples near the storage dock.
Why it works: Crate is the singular head noun, so the sentence takes was despite the plural apples.
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There were two crates of fresh fruit in the delivery truck.
Why it works: Crates is plural, which dictates the verb were.
Your turn
Choose the verb that agrees with the head noun: 'There ___ a binder of historical records on the shelf.'
Answer: was
Show the answer
Answer: was
The head noun binder is singular, so was is correct even though records is plural.
Common mistakes
What learners often say, what to say instead, and why.
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Not this:
There were a new notice on the wall.Say: There was a new notice on the wall.
'Notice' is singular, so it needs 'there was'.
-
Not this:
There was several empty seats near us.Say: There were several empty seats near us.
'Several' introduces a plural countable noun, so use 'there were'.
-
Not this:
Was there any questions after the meeting?Say: Were there any questions after the meeting?
'Questions' is plural, so the question begins with 'were there'.
-
Not this:
There were useful information in the folder.Say: There was useful information in the folder.
'Information' is uncountable and takes the singular form 'there was'.
Before you go
Remember this
Always look past the word there to locate the noun phrase. If the noun is singular or uncountable, select there was. If the noun is plural, select there were. Apply this principle consistently across affirmative statements, negative sentences, and questions.
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There was enough hot coffee in our glass pot.
Coffee is uncountable in this context, so the speaker uses there was followed by the quantifier enough.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The final t or d is barely said before the next consonant.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The final t or d is barely said before the next consonant.
Listening 2 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
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Read the transcript
There were eight wooden chairs inside room B.
Chairs is a plural countable noun preceded by the numeral eight, which requires there were.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Try a longer clip. Listen once, then replay the part you missed.
Listening 3 of 4
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Read the transcript
There was an urgent parcel upon our desk this morning. Next to our ledger, there were eight blue folders ready for inspection.
Parcel is singular and takes there was, while folders is plural and takes there were.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
This clip is longer. Follow the instruction above the answer field.
Listening 4 of 4
Listen, then type the missing words. The rest of the text is already there.
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Read the transcript
Yesterday morning, there was an unusual silence across our reading room. There was plenty of sunshine streaming over every table. Later in our afternoon session, there were eleven university students reviewing their research notes, while there were also several quiet visitors browsing our travel section until closing time.
Silence and sunshine are non-count concepts taking was, while students and visitors are plural nouns taking were.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
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Describe the condition of your home or workspace when you arrived earlier this week, explaining what was present and what was missing.
Use: there was or there were: how to choose
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There was enough hot coffee in our glass pot.
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Questions about "There was or there were: how to choose"
Why do native speakers sometimes say 'there's' when talking about plural items?
In fast casual conversation, many native speakers use the contraction there's as a generic conversational filler before plural nouns. However, this pattern is considered nonstandard in formal writing, academic work, and professional reports. When speaking or writing about the past, you should always choose there were for plural items to maintain grammatical precision.
In casual speech, someone might say 'there's two items left', but standard usage requires 'there are two items left'.
For past events, write 'There were two items left on the counter' rather than using a singular form.
How do I choose between was and were when a list follows?
When there is followed by a list of multiple items, standard English grammar uses the proximity principle. This means the verb agrees with the first noun that immediately follows it. If the first item on the list is singular, use there was. If the first item is plural, use there were.
There was a pen and three notebooks on the table.
There were three notebooks and a pen on the table.
Why is 'there was information' correct if information includes many details?
In English, information is grammatically uncountable, which means it cannot take a plural ending or a plural verb. Even though the concept may include many individual facts, the noun itself is treated as a single mass. Nouns like advice, equipment, furniture, luggage, and research behave the same way and require there was.
There was valuable information in the monthly briefing.
There was new equipment delivered to our laboratory yesterday.
Does the word 'any' force the verb to be singular or plural in questions?
The word any does not control the verb on its own. Instead, look at the noun that follows any. If that noun is uncountable, start your question with Was there. If that noun is a plural countable word, start your question with Were there.
Was there any coffee left in the break room?
Were there any messages for me while I was away?
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