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

(121) And they were pursued by a Curse in this life,- and on the Day of Judgment. Ah! Behold! for the 'Ad rejected their Lord and Cherisher! Ah! Behold! removed (from sight) were 'Ad the people of Hud!

(122) He said: "O my people! do ye see? if I have a Clear (Sign) from my Lord and He hath sent Mercy unto me from Himself,- who then can help me against Allah if I were to disobey Him? What then would ye add to my (portion) but perdition?

(123) As if they had never dwelt and flourished there. Ah! Behold! for the Thamud rejected their Lord and Cherisher! Ah! Behold! removed (from sight) were the Thamud!

(124) There came Our messengers to Abraham with glad tidings. They said, "Peace!" He answered, "Peace!" and hastened to entertain them with a roasted calf.

(125) They said: "O Shu'aib! much of what thou sayest we do not understand! In fact among us we see that thou hast no strength! were it not for thy family, we should certainly have stoned thee! for thou hast among us no great position!"

(126) As if they had never dwelt and flourished there! Ah! Behold! How the Madyan were removed (from sight) as were removed the Thamud!

(127) Why were there not, among the generations before you, persons possessed of balanced good sense, prohibiting (men) from mischief in the earth - except a few among them whom We saved (from harm)? But the wrong-doers pursued the enjoyment of the good things of life which were given them, and persisted in sin.

(128) Nor would thy Lord be the One to destroy communities for a single wrong-doing, if its members were likely to mend.

(129) They said: "If the wolf were to devour him while we are (so large) a party, then should we indeed (first) have perished ourselves!"

(130) He said: "Know ye how ye dealt with Joseph and his brother, not knowing (what ye were doing)?"