English grammar
Is/are + participle (the state) vs was/were + participle (the action)
Tell an action (were closed) from the state it leaves behind (are closed).
From the scene It's already closed
In short
Is / are + participle describes a state now. Was / were + participle describes the action, often with by or when.
Your turn
Which one goes with action: was/were + participle (+ by, what happened)?
Options: the door is sealed off · they were closed last night by the developer · the flats are closed
Show answer
action: was/were + participle (+ by, what happened) → they were closed last night by the developer
How it works
Is/are + participle describes the state you find something in right now: the flats are closed, the door is sealed off.
Good to know
Was/were + participle describes the action itself, often with by to say who did it, and it answers 'when': they were closed last night by the developer, when was it signed?
Good to know
Stressing was can mean the state is now over: it WAS sealed (not any more).
state: is/are + participle (how it is now) the flats are closed
action: was/were + participle (+ by, what happened) they were closed last night by the developer
Nuria
They were closed last night by the developer. Without telling anyone.
Fueron cerrados anoche por la promotora. Sin avisar a nadie.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). Without telling anyone.
Options: They were closed last night by the developer · The flats are closed · The door is sealed off
Show answer
Nuria
They were closed last night by the developer. Without telling anyone.
Fueron cerrados anoche por la promotora. Sin avisar a nadie.
state: a description right now the door is sealed off
Nuria
No. The door is sealed off, yellow tape and everything.
No. La puerta está precintada, con cinta amarilla y todo.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
No. (blank), yellow tape and everything.
Options: The door is sealed off · The flats are closed · They were closed last night by the developer
Show answer
Nuria
No. The door is sealed off, yellow tape and everything.
No. La puerta está precintada, con cinta amarilla y todo.
action: asking when it happened when was it signed?
Tomás
Signed? And when was it signed?
¿Firmada? ¿Y cuándo fue firmada?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Signed? And (blank)?
Options: they were closed last night by the developer · when was it signed · the flats are closed
Show answer
Tomás
Signed? And when was it signed?
¿Firmada? ¿Y cuándo fue firmada?
a state that's over now (stressed) it WAS sealed
Elena
It WAS sealed, Tomás. Was.
Estaba sellado, Tomás. Estaba.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank), Tomás. Was.
Options: It WAS sealed · The flats are closed · They were closed last night by the developer
Show answer
Elena
It WAS sealed, Tomás. Was.
Estaba sellado, Tomás. Estaba.
Common mistake
Not were or have here. A state, right now.
Tomás, Don Ramón's cousin's flats are closed.
Tomás, los pisos del primo de Don Ramón están cerrados.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| state: is/are + participle (how it is now) | the flats are closed |
|---|---|
| action: was/were + participle (+ by, what happened) | they were closed last night by the developer |
| state: a description right now | the door is sealed off |
| action: asking when it happened | when was it signed? |
| a state that's over now (stressed) | it WAS sealed |
More lines from the story
- NuriaTomás, Don Ramón's cousin's flats are closed.Tomás, los pisos del primo de Don Ramón están cerrados.
- ElenaLegal, dear. The sale is already signed. I have it on good authority.Legal, hijo. La venta ya está firmada. Lo sé de buena fuente.