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

(221) "'And our seducers were only those who were steeped in guilt.

(222) We rained down on them a shower (of brimstone): and evil was the shower on those who were admonished (but heeded not)!

(223) Yet there comes to them at length the (Punishment) which they were promised!

(224) And they rejected those Signs in iniquity and arrogance, though their souls were convinced thereof: so see what was the end of those who acted corruptly!

(225) And before Solomon were marshalled his hosts,- of Jinns and men and birds, and they were all kept in order and ranks.

(226) There were in the city nine men of a family, who made mischief in the land, and would not reform.

(227) They said: "Swear a mutual oath by Allah that we shall make a secret night attack on him and his people, and that we shall then say to his heir (when he seeks vengeance): 'We were not present at the slaughter of his people, and we are positively telling the truth.'"

(228) Now such were their houses, - in utter ruin, - because they practised wrong-doing. Verily in this is a Sign for people of knowledge.

(229) And We rained down on them a shower (of brimstone): and evil was the shower on those who were admonished (but heeded not)!

(230) "It is true we were promised this,- we and our fathers before (us): these are nothing but tales of the ancients."