were

¹ American  

[wur, wer, wair] / wɜr, wər, wɛər /

verb

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

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we're ² American  

[weer] / wɪər /

1. contraction of we are:

   We're happy to see you.

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were ¹ British  

/ 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

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we're ² British  

/ wɪə /

contraction

1. we are

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Grammar

See subjunctive.

Usage

See contraction.

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

Etymology

Origin of were

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

Example Sentences

With the yen still undervalued, Ueda’s comments about a potential rate hike were creating a desire by some investors to rebuild long positions in Japan’s currency, according to Tenengauzer.

From MarketWatch

The moves were aimed partly at mitigating the threat of tariffs.

From The Wall Street Journal

As Mr. Hart points out, this “mechanical slaughter” anticipated others during World War I. Men who were ambitious young officers during the Sudan operations subsequently reached high command during the “Great War.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Their three children were placed with a family member, officials said.

From Los Angeles Times

“There’s been tons of famous people who were fired, right?”

From Salon