Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'are' for current plural states and 'were' for past plural states or hypothetical 'what-if' dreams.
- Use 'are' for now with we/you/they: 'They are happy.'
- Use 'were' for then with we/you/they: 'They were happy.'
- Use 'were' for imaginary situations: 'If I were you...'
Overview
be動詞は避けては通れない最も基本的な要素です。しかし、中級レベル（B1）に到達してもなお、多くの日本人学習者を悩ませるのが「主語と動詞の一致（Subject-Verb Agreement）」、そして「時制（Tense）」の組み合わせです。特に are と were の使い分けは、単なる現在と過去の区別だけでなく、英語という言語が持つ「数（単数・複数）」に対する厳格な感覚を象徴しています。are と were の違いを軸に、英語の時制と主語のルールを深く掘り下げます。単なる文法規則の暗記ではなく、なぜその形になるのか、ネイティブスピーカーがどのような感覚でこれらを使い分けているのかを、日本語との対比を通じて解説していきます。これをマスターすることで、あなたの英語はより正確で、信頼感のあるものへと進化するでしょう。are と were は、どちらも be動詞（存在や状態を表す動詞）の変形ですが、その役割は大きく分けて二つあります。一つは「連結動詞（Linking Verb）」としての役割、もう一つは「助動詞（Auxiliary Verb）」としての役割です。They are teachers.（現在：彼ら ＝ 先生）They were teachers.（過去：彼ら ＝ 先生だった）
are か were かを選ぶことで、瞬時に時間軸を決定します。be動詞 は、他の動詞と組み合わさって特定の文法機能を作ります。- 進行形 (
be+-ing): 「今〜している」または「（過去のその時）〜していた」を表します。 We are discussing the project.（私たちは今、プロジェクトについて話し合っています。）We were discussing the project.（私たちはその時、プロジェクトについて話し合っていました。）- 受動態 (
be+ 過去分詞): 「〜される」または「〜された」を表します。 The documents are updated regularly.（書類は定期的に更新されます。）The documents were updated yesterday.（書類は昨日更新されました。）
am, is, are と細かく分かれます。特に are と were は、「複数形（We, They, 複数名詞）」および「二人称（You）」専用の形です。日本語では「あなたは〜」「あなたたちは〜」で動詞を変える必要はありませんが、英語では You という単語が一人を指す場合でも、常に複数扱いとして are や were を使うという独特のルールがあります。これは英語の歴史において You がもともと複数形だった名残であり、現代英語でもこのルールは厳格に守られています。are と were を正しく使い分けるための基本パターンを整理しましょう。まず、以下の表で主語と時制の組み合わせを確認してください。are と were が使われるのは、主語が 「You」 または 「複数」 の場合のみです。ここを間違えると、ネイティブスピーカーにとっては「私は昨日、学校に行く」と言っているような、非常に不自然な印象を与えてしまいます。- 1肯定文 (Affirmative)
You are a great leader.（あなたは素晴らしいリーダーです。）The results were positive.（結果は肯定的でした。）
- 1否定文 (Negative)
be動詞 の直後に not を置きます。短縮形（aren't, weren't）がよく使われます。We are not (aren't) ready yet.（私たちはまだ準備ができていません。）They were not (weren't) aware of the changes.（彼らはその変更に気づいていませんでした。）
- 1疑問文 (Interrogative)
be動詞 の位置を入れ替えます。Are you coming to the party?（パーティーに来ますか？）Were they at the office this morning?（彼らは今朝、オフィスにいましたか？）
are と were の使い方を見ていきましょう。are)are を使います。- ビジネスシーンで:
The sales figures are higher than expected.（売上数値は予想よりも高いです。） - 日常生活で:
My kids are very energetic today.（うちの子たちは今日、とても元気です。） - 一般動詞の進行形:
You are doing a great job.（あなたは素晴らしい仕事をしていますね。）
were)were を使います。- 思い出を語る:
We were best friends in high school.（私たちは高校時代、親友でした。） - 理由を説明する:
They were late because of the train delay.（電車の遅延のせいで、彼らは遅れました。） - 過去の進行中の動作:
You were sleeping when I called you.（私が電話したとき、あなたは寝ていました。）
were)I や He, She であっても、過去形の were を使うのが正式なルールです。これを「仮定法過去」と呼びます。If I were you, I would take that offer.（もし私があなたなら、その申し出を受け入れるでしょう。）- ※実際には「私」は「あなた」ではないので、現実との距離を置くために
wereを使います。 I wish it were Sunday today.（今日が日曜日ならいいのになぁ。）- ※実際には今日が日曜日ではないため、
isではなくwereを使います。
was ではなく were を使うことで、「これは事実ではなく、あくまで想像の話ですよ」というサインを相手に送っているのです。are を使ってしまう）- 間違い:
Last night, we are very tired. - 正解:
Last night, we were very tired. - 解説: 文の中に
Last night,Yesterday,Two days agoなどの過去を表す言葉がある場合は、必ずwereを選択しなければなりません。
is / was の使用- 間違い:
You was at the meeting, right? - 正解:
You were at the meeting, right? - 解説: 前述の通り、
Youは常に複数扱いとして動詞を受けます。これは英語の鉄則です。親しい間柄の口語ではYou wasと言うネイティブも稀にいますが、ビジネスやフォーマルな場では教養がない印象を与えてしまうため、必ずwereを使いましょう。
- 間違い:
The quality of these products are excellent. - 正解:
The quality of these products is excellent. - 解説: この文の主語の核は
products（複数）ではなく、The quality（単数）です。「製品の『質』」について話しているので、動詞はisまたはwasになります。逆に、The prices of this car are high.であれば、主語の核はprices（複数）なのでareが正解です。常に「何が」主語なのかを見極める癖をつけましょう。
are / were と、それによく似た is / was の違いを整理します。この違いは「主語が単数か複数か」に集約されます。The meeting is at 3 PM. (会議は3時です) | The meetings are always long. (会議はいつも長いです) |The movie was boring. (その映画は退屈だった) | The movies were popular in the 90s. (それらの映画は90年代に人気だった) |If he was と言うこともあるが、正しくは were） | If they were here, they would help. (彼らがここにいれば助けてくれるのに) |People（人々）や Staff（スタッフ）といった、形は単数に見えても意味が複数を表す単語です。これらは通常 are / were を伴います。一方、Information（情報）や Advice（アドバイス）は日本語では数えられそうですが、英語では「不可算名詞」として常に単数扱い（is / was）になります。このあたりの感覚を磨くことが、B1レベルから上を目指す鍵となります。You が一人のときでも are / were を使うのはなぜですか？thou（単数）と you（複数）という使い分けがありましたが、時が経つにつれて thou が使われなくなり、敬語的なニュアンスを持っていた you が単数・複数の両方を兼ねるようになりました。その際、文法的な形は「複数形」のまま残ったため、現代でも常に are / were を使うのです。If I was you と言うのを聞いたことがありますが、これは間違いですか？If I was と言うネイティブスピーカーも非常に多いです。しかし、テストやビジネスメール、公的なスピーチなどのフォーマルな場では、If I were を使うのが正しい文法とされています。中級学習者としては、まずは were を正しく使えるようにし、状況に応じて was も理解できるようにしておくのがベストです。Data は is ですか、それとも are ですか？data は datum の複数形なので The data are... とするのが正解です。しかし、現代の一般的なビジネス英語や日常会話では、data を一つの集合体（不可算名詞）として捉え、The data is... と単数で扱うことが一般的になっています。どちらを使っても間違いではありませんが、IT業界などでは単数扱い（is）が主流です。are と were を使い分けるコツはありますか？They や We と言った瞬間に、指が2本以上立っているイメージを持つと、複数形の are / were が自然と出てきやすくなります。頑張りましょう（頑張る spirit で！）Conjugation of 'To Be' (Plural & You)
| Subject | Present (Are) | Past (Were) | Subjunctive (Were) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
We
|
are
|
were
|
were
|
|
You (Singular)
|
are
|
were
|
were
|
|
You (Plural)
|
are
|
were
|
were
|
|
They
|
are
|
were
|
were
|
|
I
|
am
|
was
|
were (If I were...)
|
|
He/She/It
|
is
|
was
|
were (If it were...)
|
Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction | Negative Form | Negative Contraction |
|---|---|---|---|
|
We are
|
We're
|
We are not
|
We aren't / We're not
|
|
You are
|
You're
|
You are not
|
You aren't / You're not
|
|
They are
|
They're
|
They are not
|
They aren't / They're not
|
|
We were
|
n/a
|
We were not
|
We weren't
|
|
They were
|
n/a
|
They were not
|
They weren't
|
Meanings
Forms of the verb 'to be' used to describe states, identities, or locations for plural subjects and the singular 'you'.
Present State
Describing a current condition or identity for 'we', 'you', or 'they'.
“You are very kind.”
“They are the winners.”
Past State
Describing a completed condition or identity in the past.
“We were late yesterday.”
“You were my best friend in school.”
Hypothetical (Subjunctive)
Used to express wishes, dreams, or conditions that are not true.
“If I were a millionaire, I'd buy a boat.”
“I wish they were here.”
Continuous Auxiliary
Helping verbs for the Present Continuous and Past Continuous tenses.
“They are dancing.”
“They were dancing when I arrived.”
Reference Table
| 主語 | 時間 | 動詞の形 | 例文 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
We (私たち)
|
現在
|
are
|
We are ready.
|
|
You (あなた/君たち)
|
現在
|
are
|
You are kind.
|
|
They (彼ら)
|
現在
|
are
|
They are working.
|
|
The students (学生たち)
|
現在
|
are
|
The students are here.
|
|
We (私たち)
|
過去
|
were
|
We were excited.
|
|
You (あなた/君たち)
|
過去
|
were
|
You were busy.
|
|
They (彼ら)
|
過去
|
were
|
They were laughing.
|
|
If I (もし私が〜なら)
|
仮定法
|
were
|
If I were taller...
|
フォーマル度スペクトル
Are you prepared to proceed? (Group setting)
Are you ready? (Group setting)
You guys ready? (Group setting)
Y'all ready? (Group setting)
Are vs. Were: コンセプトの流れ
現在形
- are used for plural subjects and 'you'
過去形
- were used for plural subjects and 'you'
特別なケース
- If I were... subjunctive for hypotheticals
Are vs. Were: クイック比較
'Are' か 'Were' かを選ぶフローチャート
主語は複数、または 'you' ですか？
今のこと、または一般的な事実ですか？
過去のことですか？
もしもの話（仮定）や願い事ですか？
利用シーンのまとめ
現在 (Are)
- • 今の場所: 'They are at the cafe.'
- • 進行中の行動: 'We are studying.'
- • 一般的な事実: 'You are smart.'
過去 (Were)
- • 過去の場所: 'They were at the party.'
- • 過去の行動: 'We were talking.'
- • 過去の状態: 'You were tired.'
特別 (Were)
- • 仮定の話: 'If I were a bird...'
- • 願い事: 'I wish you were here.'
レベル別の例文
You are my friend.
You are my friend.
They are in the kitchen.
They are in the kitchen.
We were at school yesterday.
We were at school yesterday.
Were you tired last night?
Were you tired last night?
They aren't coming to the party.
They are not coming to the party.
We weren't ready for the test.
We were not ready for the test.
Are the keys on the table?
Are the keys on the table?
You were very helpful today.
You were very helpful today.
If I were you, I would call him.
If I were you, I would call him.
We are flying to Paris tomorrow.
We are flying to Paris tomorrow.
They were being very loud during the movie.
They were being very loud during the movie.
I wish you were here with me.
I wish you were here with me.
The results are expected to be good.
The results are expected to be good.
If they were to win, it would be a miracle.
If they were to win, it would be a miracle.
You were supposed to be here at eight.
You were supposed to be here at eight.
Are you being served, sir?
Are you being served, sir?
Were it not for the rain, we would be hiking.
Were it not for the rain, we would be hiking.
They are not to be disturbed under any circumstances.
They are not to be disturbed under any circumstances.
I was wondering if you were planning to join us.
I was wondering if you were planning to join us.
The ruins were once a grand palace.
The ruins were once a grand palace.
Lest they were discovered, they moved in silence.
Lest they were discovered, they moved in silence.
The nuances of the law are such that few understand them.
The nuances of the law are such that few understand them.
If he were but a little more patient, he would succeed.
If he were but a little more patient, he would succeed.
Such are the trials of modern life.
Such are the trials of modern life.
間違えやすい
Learners often use 'was' for plural subjects or 'were' for singular ones.
Mixing up singular and plural in the present tense.
Both are heard, but only one is formally correct for hypotheticals.
よくある間違い
We was happy.
We were happy.
You is my friend.
You are my friend.
They are at home yesterday.
They were at home yesterday.
Are you was there?
Were you there?
The books is on the table.
The books are on the table.
We weren't go to the park.
We didn't go to the park.
Was you at the meeting?
Were you at the meeting?
If I was you, I'd go.
If I were you, I'd go.
I wish it was Friday.
I wish it were Friday.
They are married for ten years.
They have been married for ten years.
If it was to rain, we'd stay.
If it were to rain, we'd stay.
文型パターン
They are ___ right now.
We were ___ when the phone rang.
If you were ___, what would you do?
The keys are not ___, they were ___.
Real World Usage
We're here! Where are you?
In my last role, we were responsible for the budget.
We were so young in this photo! Time flies.
Are the rooms ready yet?
The fries are cold, but they were hot when I ordered.
The participants were divided into two groups.
「時間旅行」をイメージして
They are happy right now.
『You』はいつも特別
You were amazing on stage!と言えばバッチリです。
時間のヒントを探そう
We are currently working on it.
想像の世界の 'Were'
グループにはこの形
The dogs were barking all night.
Smart Tips
Always use 'If I were you' instead of 'If I was you'. It sounds much more professional.
Ignore the number! 'You' is a grammatical plural in English, so it always takes 'are' and 'were'.
Look for time markers like 'yesterday', 'now', or 'next week' to decide between 'are' and 'were'.
If you wish for something that isn't true right now, use 'were'.
発音
Weak form of 'Are'
In fast speech, 'are' is often reduced to a schwa sound /ə/.
Weak form of 'Were'
In fast speech, 'were' is often reduced to /wə/.
Question Inversion
Are you ↗ ready?
Rising intonation at the end of 'are/were' questions.
暗記しよう
記憶術
ARE is for the stars (present/bright), WERE is for the year (past/gone).
視覚的連想
Imagine a bright sun labeled 'ARE' shining on a group of people today. Then imagine a dusty old photo album labeled 'WERE' showing the same people years ago.
Rhyme
When it's now, 'are' is the way. When it's then, 'were' saves the day.
Story
A king says, 'We are powerful today!' but his ghost says, 'We were powerful once.' Then a dreamer says, 'If I were a king, I would be happy.'
Word Web
チャレンジ
Write three sentences: one about where you are now, one about where you were on your last birthday, and one starting with 'If I were a bird...'
文化メモ
In AAVE, 'be' can be used as an invariant verb for habitual actions (e.g., 'They be working'), which is different from the standard 'They are working'.
The use of 'y'all are' is standard for the plural 'you'.
Some dialects use 'was' for all subjects in the past ('We was', 'They was'). This is considered non-standard but is very common in certain regions.
The verb 'to be' is highly irregular because it comes from three different Old English roots: 'am/is', 'be', and 'was/were'.
会話のきっかけ
Where are you right now, and where were you two hours ago?
If you were the president of your country, what is the first thing you would change?
What are your favorite hobbies, and were they the same when you were a child?
Think about your last vacation. Were the people friendly? Was the weather good?
日記のテーマ
よくある間違い
Test Yourself
Score: /4
練習問題
8 exercisesThey ___ very busy today.
Last night, we ___ at the cinema.
Find and fix the mistake:
If I was you, I would buy the red car.
You are late for the meeting.
A: Where ___ the kids? B: They ___ in the garden a minute ago.
Identify the hypothetical sentence.
1. He, 2. They, 3. You
You should use 'was' with 'you' if you are only talking to one person.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesWe ____ going to the concert next week.
You ____ incredibly tired after your overnight shift.
The children was playing outside all afternoon yesterday.
If she was here, she would help us with the presentation.
正しい文章を選んでください：
正しい文章を選んでください：
英語に直してください： 'あなたたちは昨日図書館にいました。'
英語に直してください： 'もし私がお金持ちなら、ヨットを買うのに。'
単語を並べ替えて文を作ってください：
単語を並べ替えて文を作ってください：
主語と正しい動詞の形を組み合わせてください：
状況に合うペアを作ってください：
Score: /12
よくある質問 (8)
This is the 'subjunctive mood', used for things that aren't true. While `If I was` is common in casual talk, `If I were` is the grammatically correct form for hypotheticals.
Yes, but only in hypothetical situations like `I wish she were here` or `If he were taller`. In the normal past tense, use `was`.
In standard English, no. It is always `You were`. You might hear `You was` in some dialects or songs, but avoid it in exams or work.
The contraction is `weren't`. It is very common in speaking and informal writing.
Move `are` to the front of the sentence: `Are they coming?` instead of `They are coming.`
No, `it` is singular and uses `is` (present) or `was` (past). The only exception is the subjunctive: `If it were Sunday, I'd be in bed.`
`They're` is the contraction for `they are`. `There` refers to a place. They sound the same but have different meanings.
Use `are` + `-ing` for fixed plans: `We are meeting at 5 PM.` This shows the plan is already decided.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
son / eran / fueron / estuvieran
English doesn't distinguish between 'being' (essence) and 'being' (location) with different verbs.
sont / étaient
French has more complex conjugation for 'you' (tu es vs vous êtes).
sind / waren
German uses 'waren' for all plural subjects, just like English.
desu / deshita
No plural agreement in Japanese.
kana (past) / zero copula (present)
The present tense 'are' is often invisible in Arabic sentences.
shì (是)
No conjugation for tense or number.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
関連動画
03:55 Oprah at Harvard Commencement
05:28 Want to be a CEO? Become a master of paradox | Adam Bryant for Big Think+
03:04 Cordyceps: attack of the killer fungi - Planet Earth Attenborough BBC wildlife
be動詞(am, is, are, was, were)の使い分けを一気に解説！
あいうえおフォニックス
【英文法】be動詞の過去形 (was, were)
とある男が授業をしてみた
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