было три

there were three

→ быть
phrase Common #5,618
there were three Used to state that there were three of something or that someone had three of something. The Russian verb stays singular and neuter in this construction.
RU: У нас было три билета.
EN: We had three tickets.

Утром было три кусочка, а теперь один.

There were three pieces this morning, and now there’s only one.

А внутри трех мужчин было три пули.

And inside the three men there were three bullets.

— Однажды на Диком Западе (1968)

У Тома было три сына.

Tom had three sons.

У тебя было три попытки, Дебрай, но у тебя только один выбор.

You had three attempts, Debrai, but you only get one choice.

— Последняя надежда (2005)

У них было три сына.

They had three sons.

У Тома было три собаки.

Tom had three dogs.

У Тома было три жены.

Tom had three wives.