were

have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun)

John is rich

be identical to; be someone or something

The president of the company is John Smith

occupy a certain position or area; be somewhere

Where is my umbrella?

have an existence, be extant

Is there a God?

happen, occur, take place

I lost my wallet; this was during the visit to my parents' house