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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:

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

"Whatever opportunities we're not given, we need to create ourselves and stop waiting to be invited to the table."

From BBC • May 23, 2026

“People sometimes turn to ChatGPT in sensitive moments, and we’re focused on making sure it responds with care, guided by experts,” an OpenAI spokeswoman said in a statement.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026

“So we’re trying to evacuate, and I’m getting dizzy with a headache in the middle of it.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2026

Over a year later, we’re still using that try-it-all approach, and recently increased the dosage of two medications.

From Slate • May 23, 2026

I left my phone in the front hall this morning, and I see right away that Mom has texted three times to ask if we’re OK and if we got stuck in the rain.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison