what is the difference between did and was

Was = a state = be Did = an action = do You don't "do be there", you "are there" so past tense would be "you Were there". On the other hand you "do eat a cheeseburger". This construction is never actually used but in some movies or books but it is still correct to say it. in that case you can say "he did eat a cheeseburger". This is why you actually only see it when the actual action is not "to do + verb + action" but "Do + action" ("he did several things yesterday") or when you pose a question (and there you will see why my previous sentence with Do + verb + action is correct) => "Did he wash the able ?" / "Does is wash the table ?" Answer would then be "yes he did" / "Yes he does" There, hope it helped, if not, then i guess a whole bunch of gentle teachers is going to come to help you out.