# there were

idiom · CEFR A1

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/there-were
Updated: 2026-04-22

## Meaning

You use 'there were' to say that more than one thing or person existed somewhere in the past.

## Examples

- There were many apples on the table.
- When I arrived at the party, there were already several people dancing in the living room.
- Although the archives had been neglected for decades, there were still many important documents hidden within the dusty shelves.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.