Using "Be" In Simple Past Tense

Question

Hi All

Using verb "be" in simple past tense is a little bit confusing for me cause understanding and categorizing it is difficult. For example...

"I wasn't at the party yesterday."

What is the function of "was" here as category. If it is the main verb how can we put "not" next to it. As far as I know it is not auxillary verb here. Is it verbal noun... or what? If it is a kind of verb (except for auxillary), how can we put it to the beginning of a sentence to form a question sentence. Because, as far as I know, when we use a verb as a first word of a sentence it becomes imperative.

How do we categorize this?

Thanks

Edit: Corrected "party" for the OP. CJ

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

murat gulerWhat is the function of "was" here as category. If it is the main verb how can we put "not" next to it. As far as I know it is not auxillary verb here.

1. Some systems of grammar say that be (am, is, are, was, were, has been, etc.) is the main verb (not an auxiliary verb) when no other verb follows it. It is then a linking verb. Then they say that be is an exception when it comes to the placement of "not" and when it comes to forming questions.

2. Some systems of grammar say that be is always an auxiliary. Then there is no need to think of it as an exception when it is used with "not" or when it is used in forming questions. This view is relatively more recent.
__________

"was" is not different from "is" in this respect. Both are forms of be.

murat gulerto form a question

Subject-verb inversion occurs with forms of be in forming questions, just as if be were an auxiliary. Tom is here. > Is Tom here? There is no form of do as there is with other verbs. Tom lives here. > Does Tom live here? Subject-verb inversion does not create an imperative. Only be itself is used as the imperative: Be quiet! Its negative is formed thus: Dont be shy!
_______________________

Verbs without auxiliaries:

Tom wants to play ball. / Tom wanted to play ball.
Tom doesn't want to play ball. / Tom didn't want to play ball.
Does Tom want to play ball? / Did Tom want to play ball?

Verbs with auxiliaries:

Tom has seen that movie. / Tom had seen that movie. // Tom will see it. // Our coffee is ground daily.
Tom hasn't seen that movie. / Tom hadn't seen that movie. // Tom will not see it. // ... is not ground daily.
Has Tom seen that movie? / Had Tom seen that movie? // Will Tom see it? // Is your coffee ground daily?

be:

Tom is a good poker player. / Tom was a good poker player. // This seat [is/was] taken.
Tom is not a good poker player. / Tom was not a good poker player. // This seat [is/was] not taken.
Is Tom a good poker player? / Was Tom a good poker player? // [Is/Was] this seat taken?

CJ

Using "Be" In Simple Past Tense

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions