The word(s) "were" appears 411 time(s) in 363 verse(s) in Quran in Muhammad Habib Shakir translation.

(151) They do not wait aught but that the angels should come to them or that the commandment of your Lord should come to pass. Thus did those before them; and Allah was not unjust to them, but they were unjust to themselves.

(152) And certainly We raised in every nation an apostle saying: Serve Allah and shun the Shaitan. So there were some of them whom Allah guided and there were others against whom error was due; therefore travel in the land, then see what was the end of the rejecters.

(153) So that He might make manifest to them that about which they differ, and that those who disbelieve might know that they were liars.

(154) And certainly there came to them an Apostle from among them, but they rejected him, so the punishment overtook them while they were unjust.

(155) And for those who were Jews We prohibited what We have related to you already, and We did them no injustice, but they were unjust to themselves.

(156) And if you take your turn, then retaliate with the like of that with which you were afflicted; but if you are patient, it will certainly be best for those who are patient.

(157) Say: If there were with Him gods as they say, then certainly they would have been able to seek a way to the Lord of power.

(158) Say: If men and jinn should combine together to bring the like of this Quran, they could not bring the like of it, though some of them were aiders of others.

(159) Or, do you think that the Fellows of the Cave and the Inscription were of Our wonderful signs?

(160) We relate to you their story with the truth; surely they were youths who believed in their Lord and We increased them in guidance.