1. first and third person singular past tense of 'be'
be 動詞的第一人稱和第三人稱單數過去式
I was at home yesterday.
我昨天在家。
She was very happy with the result.
她對結果非常滿意。
It was a beautiful day.
那是美好的一天。
Was Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
was
verb
快速理解
What does "Was" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Was"?
「was」是 be 動詞的過去式第一人稱與第三人稱單數形式，用於描述過去的人、事、物狀態或身分。
- 1
過去狀態
EN: It was cold yesterday.
翻譯: 昨天很冷。
- 2
過去身分/特質
EN: She was a teacher before she retired.
翻譯: 她在退休前是一名老師。
- 3
過去存在/位置
EN: The book was on the table.
翻譯: 那本書當時在桌子上。
- 4
過去被動語態
EN: The window was broken by the storm.
翻譯: 窗戶被暴風雨打破了。
小提醒：注意：「was」只用於單數主詞（I, he, she, it 及單數名詞）。複數主詞（we, you, they 及複數名詞）的過去式必須用「were」。
發音（How to Pronounce "Was" in English）
How to pronounce "Was" in English?"Was" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Was" from YouTube Videos
South Korea would accept Trump-Kim deal to freeze North Korea’s nuclear programme | BBC News
BBC News
“He said Pyongyang was now producing an additional 15 to 20 nuclear weapons a year.”
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Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Was"?How does "Was" change by context?
2. used to describe a past state or condition
用於描述過去的狀態或情況
The room was dark and quiet.
房間又暗又安靜。
He was tired after the long journey.
長途旅行後他累了。
My phone was broken, so I couldn't call you.
我的手機壞了，所以無法打給你。
3. used to indicate past location or position
用於表示過去的位置或地點
The keys were on the table, but now they're gone.
鑰匙本來在桌上，但現在不見了。
Where were you last night?
你昨晚在哪裡？
The meeting was in the main conference room.
會議在主會議室舉行。
4. used to express past age, time, or date
用於表達過去的年齡、時間或日期
I was ten years old when we moved here.
我們搬來這裡時我十歲。
It was 3 o'clock when she arrived.
她到達時是三點鐘。
Yesterday was Monday.
昨天是星期一。
5. used in past continuous tense to describe an ongoing action in the past
用於過去進行式，描述過去正在進行的動作
I was reading a book when you called.
你打電話來時，我正在看書。
They were watching a movie at that time.
那時他們正在看電影。
What were you doing yesterday afternoon?
你昨天下午在做什麼？
6. used in past passive voice constructions
用於過去被動語態結構
The letter was written by my grandfather.
這封信是我祖父寫的。
The window was broken by the strong wind.
窗戶被強風吹破了。
He was elected president last year.
他去年當選了總統。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Was"?How to make natural sentences with "Was"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| was + noun | 是（過去式） | He was a teacher. (他曾是一名老師。) |
| was + adjective | 是（過去式，描述狀態） | The weather was nice yesterday. (昨天的天氣很好。) |
| was + V-ing | 正在（過去進行式） | She was reading a book when I called. (我打電話時，她正在看書。) |
| was + past participle | 被（過去式被動語態） | The window was broken by the storm. (窗戶被暴風雨打破了。) |
| was + prepositional phrase | 在（過去式，表示位置或狀態） | My phone was on the table. (我的手機當時在桌上。) |
| There was + noun | 有（過去式，表示存在） | There was a problem with the system. (系統當時有個問題。) |
| was + to + V | 將要（表示過去的未來安排或命運） | He was to become a great leader. (他後來成為了一位偉大的領袖。) |
| If + subject + was/were... | 如果…（假設語氣） | If I was wrong, I apologize. (如果是我錯了，我道歉。) |
| was/were + being + adjective | 當時表現得…（描述暫時行為） | He was being difficult during the meeting. (他在會議期間表現得很難搞。) |
用法說明
How is "Was" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Was"?
was doing vs was to do
- was doing 表示過去某個時間點正在進行的動作，強調動作的持續性。
- was to do 表示過去安排、計畫或注定要發生的動作，常帶有「將要」、「應該」的含義。
- 在間接引語中，was to do 可用來轉述過去的未來安排。
- was to have done 則表示過去計畫要做但最終未完成的動作。
對比範例： EN: At 8 PM yesterday, I was watching a movie. 翻譯: 昨晚八點，我正在看電影。
EN:The meeting was to start at 9 AM, but it was delayed.
翻譯:會議原定上午九點開始，但被延遲了。
EN:She was cooking when the phone rang.
翻譯:電話響時，她正在做飯。
EN:He was to become one of the greatest scientists of his time.
翻譯:他注定要成為他那個時代最偉大的科學家之一。
總結建議
在描述過去持續的動作時使用 was doing；在表達過去既定的安排、計畫或命運時，則使用 was to do。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Was" and similar words?How to choose "Was" vs alternatives?
was vs were
"was" 用於第一人稱單數（I）和第三人稱單數（he, she, it）；"were" 用於第二人稱單數（you）、複數（we, you, they）以及假設語氣。
was vs been
"was" 是 be 動詞的簡單過去式；"been" 是 be 動詞的過去分詞，需與 have/has/had 等助動詞連用，構成完成式或被動語態。
was vs is
"was" 是 be 動詞的過去式，描述過去的事實或狀態；"is" 是現在式，描述現在的事實、狀態或普遍真理。
口語用法
How is "Was" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Was"?
引述
在口語中，常用 "was" 來引述或模仿他人的話語，特別是帶有驚訝或質疑的語氣。 EN: So he was like, "I was there yesterday, but you weren't." 翻譯: 所以他當時就說：「我昨天在那裡啊，但你不在。」
EN:And she was all, "How was I supposed to know?"
翻譯:然後她整個就是：「我怎麼會知道？」
語氣強調
在非正式對話中，會用重讀或拉長 "was" 來強調某個狀態的真實性或戲劇性。 EN: That concert was AMAZING. 翻譯: 那場演唱會「真的」超棒的。
EN:I was so tired yesterday.
翻譯:我昨天「真的是」累壞了。
停頓填充
在思考或組織語句時，有時會用 "was" 作為一個短暫的停頓填充詞，尤其是在回憶或敘述過去事件時。 EN: The place we went to... was... oh right, it was that new cafe. 翻譯: 我們去的那個地方… 是… 哦對了，就是那家新咖啡廳。
EN:So the reason he left was... actually, I'm not sure.
翻譯:所以他離開的原因是… 其實，我也不太確定。
正式書寫注意：以上口語用法（如引述、強調語氣、停頓填充）僅限於非正式對話或創意寫作中。在正式報告、學術論文或商業書信中，應避免此類用法，並使用標準、完整的過去式句型結構。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Was"?What fixed phrases with "Was" should I remember?
was
was + adjective/noun phrase
（表示狀態、身份或特徵）是
was
was + past participle
（用於被動語態）被
was
was + present participle (-ing)
（表示過去正在進行的動作）正在
If I was
If + subject + was
如果我當時是（用於非正式條件句）
It was as if
It was as if + clause
彷彿，就好像
was about to
was about to + verb
即將，正要（做某事）
was supposed to
was supposed to + verb
理應，本來應該
was able to
was able to + verb
能夠（表示過去的能力或機會）
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Was"?Which "Was" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×I were at home yesterday.
✓I was at home yesterday.
「was」用於第一人稱單數（I）和第三人稱單數（he, she, it, 單數名詞）。「were」用於第二人稱單數（you）和所有人稱複數（we, you, they）。
×He was go to school every day.
✓He goes to school every day.
「was」是過去式，描述過去發生的狀態或動作。描述習慣性或現在的事實，應使用現在式動詞。
×Did he was at the party?
✓Was he at the party?
構成過去式的疑問句時，若主要動詞是「be」動詞（was/were），直接將「was/were」移到主詞前即可，不需要助動詞「did」。
×If I was you, I would study harder.
✓If I were you, I would study harder.
在表達與現在事實相反的假設條件句（第二類條件句）中，無論主詞是什麼，從句中的「be」動詞固定使用「were」。這是虛擬語氣的用法。
×The books was on the table.
✓The books were on the table.
主詞是複數名詞時，be動詞必須使用複數形式的「were」，而不是單數形式的「was」。
×I watching TV at 8 PM yesterday.
✓I was watching TV at 8 PM yesterday.
過去進行式（Past Continuous）的結構是「was/were + V-ing」，用來描述過去某個特定時刻正在進行的動作。不能省略「was/were」。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Was"?What are tense/participle forms of "Was"?
is(3rd_singular)being(present_participle)was(past)been(past_participle)