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

(361) But they insolently defied the Command of their Lord, so the Sa'iqah overtook them while they were looking.

(362) Then they were unable to rise up, nor could they help themselves.

(363) (So were) the people of Nuh (Noah) before them. Verily, they were a people who were Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah).

(364) And there will go round boy-servants of theirs, to serve them as if they were preserved pearls.

(365) Saying: "Aforetime, we were afraid (of the punishment of Allah) in the midst of our families.

(366) were they created by nothing? Or were they themselves the creators?

(367) And if they were to see a piece of the heaven falling down, they would say: "Clouds gathered in heaps!"

(368) Those who avoid great sins (See the Qur'an, Verses: 6:152,153) and Al-Fawahish (illegal sexual intercourse) except the small faults, - verily, your Lord is of Vast Forgiveness. He knows you well when He created you from the earth (Adam), and when you were fetuses in your mothers' wombs. So ascribe not purity to yourselves. He knows best him who fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him [i.e. those who are Al-Muttaqun (the pious. See V.2:2)].

(369) And the people of Nuh (Noah) aforetime. Verily, they were more unjust and more rebellious and transgressing [in disobeying Allah and His Messenger Nuh (Noah) عليه السلام].

(370) They will come forth, with humbled eyes from (their) graves as if they were locusts spread abroad,