Past identities and states at a birthday
For was/were with a noun, use after a consonant and after a vowel: , . These endings are the same for every person. They describe a past identity, not a completed action.
means was/were there or had; means was/were not there or did not have. Learn these frequent state forms now. says was not when denying an identity.
Time words such as and place a short sentence in the past. Productive past action verbs come in module 7. Until then, recognise these useful forms as a small, fixed group.
| Form | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| was a student | ||
| was a student | ||
| was a doctor | ||
| was a doctor | ||
| was at home | ||
| was at home | ||
| had no time | ||
| had no time | ||
지훈 씨는 학생이었어요.Jihun was a student.
엄마는 의사였어요.Mum was a doctor.
그때 나비가 있었어요.Nabi was there then.
어제 시간이 없었어요.I had no time yesterday.
의사가 아니었어요.He/she was not a doctor.
생일 파티였어요.It was a birthday party.
Practice 1/6 · Finding words
Notice the useful forms
Tap the highlighted form described in this unit.
.
Jihun was a student.
.
Mum was a doctor.
.
Nabi was there then.
.
I had no time yesterday.
Practice 2/6 · The right form
Choose the friendly polite form
Choose the form that fits the English meaning and the polite sentence.
지훈 씨는 학생 .
Jihun was a student.
엄마는 의사 .
Mum was a doctor.
그때 나비가 .
Nabi was there then.
어제 시간이 .
I had no time yesterday.
의사가 .
He/she was not a doctor.
생일 파티 .
It was a birthday party.
Practice 3/6 · Fill the gaps
Complete a short message
Fill the gaps with the words from the box.
그때 나비가 .
Nabi was there then.
어제 시간이 .
I had no time yesterday.
의사가 .
He/she was not a doctor.
생일 파티.
It was a birthday party.
Practice 4/6 · Building sentences
Build useful sentences
Put the words in order.
Nabi was there then.
I had no time yesterday.
Yes. He/she was not a doctor.
Yes. It was a birthday party.
Practice 5/6 · In situations
What would you say?
Choose the right words for the situation.
Jihun was a student.
You say:
Use the form and meaning explained in this unit.
Jihun was a student.
You say:
Use the form and meaning explained in this unit.
Mum was a doctor.
You say:
Use the form and meaning explained in this unit.
Mum was a doctor.
You say:
Use the form and meaning explained in this unit.
Nabi was there then.
You say:
Use the form and meaning explained in this unit.
Nabi was there then.
You say:
Use the form and meaning explained in this unit.
I had no time yesterday.
You say:
Use the form and meaning explained in this unit.
I had no time yesterday.
You say:
Use the form and meaning explained in this unit.
Practice 6/6 · Matching
Connect messages and meanings
Match the pairs.
Unit complete
