The word(s) "were" appears 484 time(s) in 411 verse(s) in Quran in Mohsin Khan translation.

(151) As if they had never lived there! So away with Madyan (Midian) as away with Thamud! (All these nations were destroyed).

(152) They were pursued by a curse in this (deceiving life of this world) and (so they will be pursued by a curse) on the Day of Resurrection. Evil indeed is the gift gifted [i.e. the curse (in this world) pursued by another curse (in the Hereafter)].

(153) If only there had been among the generations before you persons having wisdom, prohibiting (others) from Al-Fasad (disbelief, polytheism, and all kinds of crimes and sins) in the earth, (but there were none) - except a few of those whom We saved from among them! Those who did wrong pursued the enjoyment of good things of (this worldly) life, and were Mujrimun (criminals, disbelievers in Allah, polytheists, sinners).

(154) And your Lord would never destroy the towns wrongfully, while their people were right-doers.

(155) We relate unto you (Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) the best of stories through Our Revelations unto you, of this Qur'an. And before this (i.e. before the coming of Divine Revelation to you), you were among those who knew nothing about it (the Qur'an).

(156) Verily, in Yusuf (Joseph) and his brethren, there were Ayat (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) for those who ask.

(157) And they sold him for a low price - for a few Dirhams (i.e. for a few silver coins). And they were of those who regarded him insignificant.

(158) "O Yusuf (Joseph)! Turn away from this! (O woman!) Ask forgiveness for your sin. Verily, you were of the sinful."

(159) So his Lord answered his invocation and turned away from him their plot. Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.

(160) And there entered with him two young men in the prison. One of them said: "Verily, I saw myself (in a dream) pressing wine." The other said: "Verily, I saw myself (in a dream) carrying bread on my head and birds were eating thereof." (They said): "Inform us of the interpretation of this. Verily, we think you are one of the Muhsinun (doers of good)."