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

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

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

Leaders at USC were also unhappy with the structure of the payouts, which places the Trojans in a lower tier than Michigan or Ohio State, according to a person familiar with their thinking.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The ones named in this article were identified through their doctors and other sources.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Days before Sunday’s referendum, officials said more than 30 inmates were killed—many hanged—by rivals in a prison in the city of Machala.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Backers of the growing movement were also major participants in Saturday’s march in Mexico City.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It forced the government to roll back some of the promises once the polls were over.

Read more on BBC