vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Was" is a form of "be", a copular verb which is often translated as "ser". "They were" is a form of "they were", a phrase which is often translated as "fueron". Learn more about the difference between "was" and "they were" below.
be(
bi
)A copular verb links the subject of a clause to the predicate (e.g., My brother is tall).
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
An impersonal verb is a verb with no apparent subject (e.g., Llueve en España.).
An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., I have gone.).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I'm going to the party. - So am I.Voy a la fiesta. - Yo también.
It is a lovely day, isn't it?Es un día precioso, ¿verdad?
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I don't know how much salt is to be added to the sauce.No sé cuánta sal hay que añadir a la salsa.
The assignment is to be done by next Thursday.La tarea tiene que estar para el jueves que viene.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
My baby is due in three months.Mi bebé nacerá dentro de tres meses.
Tomorrow, I'm going to the dentist.Mañana voy al dentista.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Had it not been for his family, he would have never become an artist.Si no fuera por su familia, nunca habría sido artista.
If I were you, I would not go.Yo en tu lugar, no iría.
they were(
they
wuhr
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. fueron
Of course I know Alicia and Ryan. They were my neighbors for five years.Claro que conozco a Alicia y Ryan. Fueron mis vecinos durante cinco años.
a. estuvieron
Alex and Virginia had a wonderful time in Italy. They were there for two weeks.Alex y Virginia lo pasaron de maravilla en Italia. Estuvieron allá dos semanas.
a. eran
The pilgrims left for the New World because they were outcasts where they were living.Los peregrinos partieron para el Nuevo Mundo porque eran marginados donde vivían.
a. estaban
They were mad because they weren't invited to the party.Estaban enojados porque no los invitaron a la fiesta.
