WERE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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were

[ wur; unstressed wer; British also wair ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb

a second person singular past indicative; first, second, and third person plural past indicative; and past subjunctive of be.

we're

[ weer ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

contraction of we are:
We're happy to see you.

were

/ wɜː; wə /

verb

the plural form of the past tense (indicative mood) of be and the singular form used with you. It is also used as a subjunctive, esp in conditional sentences

we're

/ ��ɪə /

contraction of

we are

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Usage Note

See contraction.

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Usage

Were, as a remnant of the past subjunctive in English, is used in formal contexts in clauses expressing hypotheses ( if he were to die, she would inherit everything ), suppositions contrary to fact ( if I were you, I would be careful ), and desire ( I wish he were there now ). In informal speech, however, was is often used instead

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Grammar Note

See subjunctive.

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of were¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English ��ǣ�� past subjunctive, ��ǣ�� 2nd-person singular past and ��ǣ��ǲ� 2nd-person plural past of wesan “to be”; cognate with Dutch, German waren, Danish var. See was

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of were¹

Old English wērun, wæron past tense plural of wesan to be; related to Old Norse vera, Old Frisian weria, Old High German �ɱ��ō�� to last

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Trump also said that China was “not very happy” about the steep tariffs he announced this week, which he said were necessary for fair and balanced trade between the two countries.

From

Muncy’s home was broken into by two people while he and his family were at Dodger Stadium.

From

Much of the agency’s staff were placed on administration leave this week, coming weeks after President Trump signed an executive order aimed at the further “reduction of the federal bureaucracy.”

From

Bennett said centrists were getting excited about candidates like Rebecca Cooke, who announced a campaign for Wisconsin’s Third District, which is currently represented by Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis.

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What is not absolutely clear is what the key factors were in the decision to sever ties.

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