The word(s) "were" appears 426 time(s) in 380 verse(s) in Quran in Abdullah Yusuf Ali translation.

(281) For they were two of our believing Servants.

(282) And there were those who said,

(283) But when it descends into the open space before them, evil will be the morning for those who were warned (and heeded not)!

(284) Before them (were many who) rejected messengers,- the people of Noah, and 'Ad, and Pharaoh, the Lord of Stakes,

(285) And Thamud, and the people of Lut, and the Companions of the Wood; - such were the Confederates.

(286) Not without purpose did We create heaven and earth and all between! that were the thought of Unbelievers! but woe to the Unbelievers because of the Fire (of Hell)!

(287) Behold, there were brought before him, at eventide coursers of the highest breeding, and swift of foot;

(288) They were, in Our sight, truly, of the company of the Elect and the Good.

(289) But (there were people) before them, who denied (the Signs),- the People of Noah, and the Confederates (of Evil) after them; and every People plotted against their prophet, to seize him, and disputed by means of vanities, therewith to condemn the Truth; but it was I that seized them! and how (terrible) was My Requital!

(290) The Unbelievers will be addressed: "Greater was the aversion of Allah to you than (is) your aversion to yourselves, seeing that ye were called to the Faith and ye used to refuse."