were

¹

[wur, wer, wair]

verb

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

we're

²

[weer]

1. contraction of we are:

   We're happy to see you.

were

¹

/ wɜː, wə /

verb

1. 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

²

/ wɪə /

contraction

1. we are

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

See contraction.

Grammar Note

See subjunctive.

Word History and Origins

Origin of were¹

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

Word 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 werōn to last

Example Sentences

They were not targeted by a sitting presidential administration or threatened by a government official who could revoke ABC’s broadcast license.

From Salon

Some 140 books by women - including titles like "Safety in the Chemical Laboratory" - were among 680 books found to be of "concern" due to "anti-Sharia and Taliban policies".

From BBC

Some medics were handed suspensions instead of following General Medical Council advice to strike them off the medical register.

From BBC

Other songs on Juniper – from the emotionally exposing Mother, to the brutal break-up ballad Mathematics – were recorded in a single session.

From BBC

The series picked up the story of the working class family, who were grieving over the death of matriarch Roseanne Conner, who had overdosed on opioids.

From Los Angeles Times