There Were Times vs. There Are Times – Which is Correct?
There are times and there were times are both correct English expressions. Use “there are times” for situations that occur now or generally, and “there were times” for situations that occurred in the past. The choice depends on tense, not meaning or correctness. Match the phrase to your time frame.
This pattern also appears in questions, where Are There vs. Is There helps distinguish plural from singular subjects.
There Were Times or There Are Times – Which Is Correct?
Both there were times and there are times are grammatically correct. The difference is their verb tense. There are times uses the present tense and describes recurring, current, or generally true situations. There were times uses the past tense and describes situations that happened during an earlier period.
The noun times refers to occasions or periods. The verb changes from are to were to show when those occasions occurred.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use a time swap test. If you can add now, today, or sometimes, choose there are times. If you can add then, formerly, or in the past, choose there were times.
For example, “There are times when I feel tired” describes a feeling that still occurs. “There were times when I felt tired” describes a past experience. Remember: are = present and were = past.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| There are times | Present-tense phrase | Some occasions occur now or regularly | There are times when I need to work alone. |
| There were times | Past-tense phrase | Some occasions occurred in the past | There were times when I doubted my decision. |
How to Use There Were Times
Use there were times to introduce past situations, experiences, or periods. It commonly appears when someone is looking back on a difficult, memorable, or changing part of life. The phrase is suitable in casual conversation, personal writing, essays, memoirs, and formal narratives.
It is often followed by when and a clause: “There were times when she wanted to quit.” It can also be followed by a description of a past period: “There were times of great uncertainty.”
Example 1: There were times when the journey seemed impossible.
Example 2: There were times during college when he worked two jobs.
Example 3: There were times in our childhood when we played outside until dark.
Etymology of the Phrase There Were Times
The phrase is built from several ordinary Old and Middle English elements. There developed from an old word meaning “in that place,” while were is the past-tense form of the verb be. Times comes through Old French from Latin tempus, meaning “period” or “occasion.” Together, the words create a standard English expression for recalling past occasions.
How to Use There Are Times
Use there are times for present or recurring situations. It can describe something that happens occasionally, a general truth, or a current circumstance. The phrase does not necessarily mean that something is happening at this exact moment; it can refer to repeated experiences over the present period.
This expression is common in both spoken and written English. It often introduces a reflection, qualification, or contrast, especially in sentences such as “There are times when…” or “There are times that…” The version with when is generally more natural when referring to occasions.
Example 1: There are times when I prefer to work in silence.
Example 2: There are times when patience is more useful than speed.
Example 3: There are times during the week when the roads become very crowded.
Etymology of the Phrase There Are Times
There are times combines there, the present-tense plural form are of be, and the noun times. The construction follows the traditional English existential pattern there is or there are, which introduces the existence or occurrence of something. Its meaning has developed naturally from the idea that certain occasions exist or happen.
Related Concepts
Understanding tense and existential constructions makes the difference between these phrases easy to recognize.
- Present tense: The present tense describes current conditions, repeated events, or general truths. In “There are times when I feel nervous,” the experience still occurs.
- Past tense: The past tense describes completed events or earlier periods. In “There were times when I felt nervous,” the speaker is referring to a past experience.
- Existential there: In these expressions, there introduces the existence or occurrence of something. It does not primarily indicate a physical location.
- Subject-verb agreement: The verb agrees with the plural noun times. Therefore, the phrase uses are in the present and were in the past.
Examples from Media and Literature
Writers frequently use these expressions when describing personal change, historical events, or recurring emotional experiences.
- Memoirs: A memoirist may write “There were times when I wanted to return home” while reflecting on a difficult period that has ended.
- Historical novels: A narrator describing a character’s earlier hardships may use “There were times when food was scarce” to establish a past setting.
- Contemporary fiction: A character discussing an ongoing relationship may say “There are times when we disagree,” showing that the conflict still occurs.
- News writing: A report about a continuing crisis might state “There are times when public services are delayed,” while a retrospective report might say “There were times when services stopped entirely.”
- Film and television dialogue: A character recalling a former friendship may use “There were times when we were inseparable,” whereas a character discussing present responsibilities may say “There are times when I need a break.”
There Were Times Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| There were occasions | Some events or situations happened in the past. |
| At times, in the past | On some previous occasions. |
| There used to be moments | Certain moments occurred regularly or occasionally before now. |
| On occasion, previously | At some points in an earlier period. |
There Are Times Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| There are occasions | Some events or situations occur in the present or generally. |
| At times | Sometimes or on certain occasions. |
| Sometimes | Occasionally, but not always. |
| Every so often | Occasionally or at irregular intervals. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “there were times” grammatically correct?
Yes. “There were times” is correct when you are referring to occasions or periods in the past. For example, “There were times when I felt uncertain” describes a previous experience.
Question 2: Is “there are times” grammatically correct?
Yes. “There are times” is correct for current, recurring, or generally possible situations. For example, “There are times when everyone needs assistance” expresses a general observation.
Question 3: Can I use “there were times” for something that still happens?
Use “there were times” only for the past occasions you are describing. If the situation continues or happens now, use “there are times.” You can use both in one passage if you are comparing past and present experiences.
Conclusion
There were times and there are times are both correct; the choice depends on tense. Choose there are times for present or recurring situations and there were times for completed past experiences. Pro Tip: Using the correct tense makes your writing clearer and protects your professional reputation.
