Difference Between Are and Were – Present vs Past Tense

The difference between “are” and “were” mainly lies in verb tense. Both come from the verb “to be”, one of the most irregular verbs in English.

“Are” is used in the present tense.
“Were” is used in the past tense.

Though the rule sounds simple, many learners — and even native speakers — get confused because English grammar has many exceptions. Let’s explore both in detail, along with examples and a clear comparison.

Table of Contents

What is “Are”?

“Are” is the present tense form of the verb “to be.” It is used with you, we, they, and plural nouns. This form expresses an action, condition, or state that is true or happening now.

Examples:

You are my best friend.
They are playing football.
We are going to school.
The children are happy.

In these sentences, “are” shows the present condition or an action that is ongoing.

Usage Note- Even though pronoun “you” refer to one person, it always takes the plural verb form — “are.”
Example:

You are a good singer. (refers to one person but still uses “are”)

What is “Were”?

“Were” is the past tense form of the verb “to be.” It is also used with you, we, they, and plural nouns, but it describes something that happened in the past or is no longer true.

Examples:

You were my classmate.
They were playing football yesterday.
We were at the party last night.
The children were excited about the trip.

Here, “were” clearly indicates that the situation or action took place earlier and is not happening now.

Special Case: “Were” in Conditional Sentences

Sometimes, “were” appears in imaginary or hypothetical sentences, even with singular subjects. This special usage is known as the subjunctive mood, which expresses unreal, imaginary, or wishful situations.

Examples:

If I were a bird, I would fly high.
I wish she were here.
If it were not raining, we could go out.

💡 Tip:
Use “were” (not “was”) after if, wish, or as if when describing an unreal or imaginary situation.

How “Are” and “Were” Function as Linking Verbs

Both “are” and “were” act as linking verbs.
Linking verbs connect the subject of a sentence to additional information or a condition, rather than showing action.

Examples:

Present: The dogs are running around the backyard.
(Shows the action happening now.)
Past: The dogs were running around the backyard.
(Shows the action happened earlier.)

Thus, “are” and “were” help describe the state of being or condition of the subject in different time frames.

Difference Between Are and Were (Comparison Table)

Feature	Are	Were
Tense	Present tense	Past tense
Used With	You, we, they, plural nouns	You, we, they, plural nouns
Time Reference	Present or ongoing action	Past or completed action
Example	They are eating lunch.	They were eating lunch.
Mood Usage	Indicative (real situation)	Indicative and subjunctive (real or imaginary)

Quick Way to Remember

Use “are” when talking about now.
Use “were” when talking about the past.
Use “were” in imaginary or wishful sentences (e.g., If I were you).

Examples to Compare – “Are” vs “Were”

Sentence with “Are”	Sentence with “Were”
You are very kind.	You were very kind yesterday.
They are here now.	They were here an hour ago.
We are studying English.	We were studying English last night.
My parents are teachers.	My parents were teachers.

How to Use “Are” and “Were” in Different Tenses

Tense	Form of “to be”	Example
Present Simple	are	They are teachers.
Present Continuous	are + -ing	They are studying now.
Past Simple	were	They were at home.
Past Continuous	were + -ing	They were sleeping when I called.
Future Simple	will be	They will be happy.
Future Continuous	will be + -ing	They will be working tomorrow.
Conditional (Subjunctive)	were	If I were rich, I’d travel the world.

Conclusion

The difference between “are” and “were” depends on time and context.

Use “are” when the action or condition is happening in the present.
Use “were” when describing something that happened in the past or is no longer true.
Use “were” in hypothetical or imaginary statements.

Mastering these two forms of the verb “to be” will help you write and speak English more accurately, clearly, and confidently.

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