Had Been vs Was
When we compare the two things “had been and was”, we try to know their uses. Once you know the uses, their picture will become vivid. Some terminologies have been used in their uses. If you get any confusion, you can study them at the end.
Uses of Had Been
Had Been as an Auxiliary Verb
We use had been as the auxiliary verb in constructing pastperfect continuous tense. The structure of past perfect continuous tense is
subject + auxiliary verb + verb + …… Had been is used as the auxiliary verb.
- I had been waiting for John for 30 minutes by the time I left.
- They had been watching the movie for an hour when I met them.
We can also use had been as the auxiliary verb in past
perfect tense when our sentence is in passive voice.
- The patient had been examined before you reached the hospital.
- He had been transferred by the time I became known.
Had Been in Past Perfect Tense
This phrase is made of two words “had and been”. When we
separate them, we term them differently. Had is used as an auxiliary verb and
been as the past participle form of the verb “go” in past perfect tense.
- I had been there before you arrived.
- They had been to New York by the time you had heart surgery.
We use had been as the auxiliary verb in the passive voice in past perfect tense.
- The patient had been examined before you reached the hospital.
- He had been transferred by the time I became known.
When to Use Was
Was as the Past Form of the Verb Be
As we know a verb can be used to show the state of being
means the existence of something. The word “was” is used in the simple past
tense to show the past state of being.
- I was ill the day before yesterday.
- She was angry when she knew that I had resigned from the job.
Why Were instead of Was
This is one important point that we use “were” instead of "was" in hypothetical or unreal conditionals and for wishful thinking. In wishful thinking, were can be used with every single subject.
- He wishes his father were alive.
- I wish I were the only one Ph.D. in the world.
- If I were the principal of this school, I would increase the salaries.
Was as an Auxiliary Verb
“Was” is used as an
auxiliary verb with a singular subject in past continuous tense.
- I was studying math when the electricity went off.
- She was reading her book while I was writing an article.
When we make sentences in passive voice, we use “was” as an
auxiliary verb in simple past tense.
- Ali was known to me.
- She was taken to the hospital.
Summary
They are two different auxiliaries that we use in constructing verb tenses. Moreover, “was” is the past form of “to be” and been is the past participle form of the verb “to be” which we can use with the word “had” in the past perfect tense.
Key Terminologies
Verb
A verb is defined as a verb that we use to show an action or state of being.
- I was ill, so I went to the hospital.
Auxiliary Verb
Auxiliary verbs are used with main verbs to help them in the construction of verb tenses.
- Ali was sleeping while we were working on the internet.
Simple Past Tense
Simple past tense is used for an activity that took place in
the past.
- I was there, so I met him.
Past Perfect Tense
The past perfect tense is used for an activity that took
place in the past before another activity.
- They had continued walking before we reached there.
Past Continuous Tense
This tense is used for a continued activity in the past.
- She was cooking while I was doing my assignment.
Past Perfect Continuous Tense
This tense is used for a continued activity in the past with
the amount of time.
- They had been discussing the issue for three hours at that time.
