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• were
  were

  verb

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

  contraction of we are:

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Were appears in the word werewolf. What was the original meaning of this instance of were?

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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

See Examples For:

were we're

The Glasgow MP and kidney transplant surgeon told the BBC some elements of the transplant system were "world leading", such as being free at the point of care.

From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026

Expectations of a Federal Reserve rate hike were pared back following the U.S. inflation data, as July consumer prices rose only marginally from June, say ANZ Research analysts in a note.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

So we were looking forward to seeing sweeping improvements when Walter took control and provided the organization with a much-needed financial infusion.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

The couple were due to appear in an Arkansas courtroom Monday but were able to skip the hearing after withdrawing their not guilty plea.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

Nearly seventy thousand were American citizens; many were from families who had lived in the United States for several generations.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly

“Actually now that we’re here sitting down with the L.A. Times, this would be the one environment that it would be kind of right to do that,” Stewart adds.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

"And we're both prepared to be vulnerable as actors."

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026

“I think we’re going to see these fares for a long, long time,” Vlitas said.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 12, 2026

Globally, we’re on trend for the lowest burn since the collection of that satellite data began in 2001, and likely the lowest since 1900.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026

When we’re more than halfway home, Jonah shakes his head.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison