Definition of 'were'

Word Frequency

were

(wəʳ , STRONG wɜːʳ )

Were is the plural and the second person singular of the past tense of be1.

Were is sometimes used instead of 'was' in certain structures, for example in conditional clauses or after the verb ' wish'.

[formal]

He might withdraw if he were allowed to keep part of a disputed oil field.

He believes in atheism as though it were a new religion.

3. as it were

English Easy Learning GrammarHow do you use the verb 'be' in English?The verb be is used as an auxiliary verb and it can also be used as a main verb. The verb be is irregular. It has eight different forms: be, am, is, are, was, were, being, been. ... Read more

English Easy Learning GrammarThe subjunctiveWhat is the subjunctive in English?
How do you use the present subjunctive in English?
How do you use the past subjunctive in English?
... Read more

Word Frequency

we're

(wɪəʳ )

We're is the usual spoken form of 'we are'.

I'm married, but we're separated.

We're thinking of going to a jazz club tonight.

Video: pronunciation of
were

were in British English

(wɜː , unstressed wə )

verb

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

▶ 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

Word origin

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

Word Frequency

we're in British English

(wɪə )

contraction of

we are

Word Frequency

we're in American English

(wɪr ; ˈwiər )

we are

Word Frequency

were in American English

(wɜr )

verb intransitive

pl. & 2d pers. sing., past indic., and the past subjunc., of

Word origin

ME weren < OE wæron, akin to Ger waren < Gmc base *wæz- < IE base *wes-: see be verb intransitive

Word Frequency

were in American English

(wɜːr, unstressed wər, Brit wɛər)

verb

a 2nd pers. sing. pt. indic., pl. pt. indic., and pt. subj. of be

Word origin

[bef. 1000; ME; OE wǣre past subj., wǣre past ind. 2nd pers. sing. and wǣron past ind. pl. of wesan to be; c. D, G waren, Dan var; see was]

Word Frequency

we're in American English

(wɪər)

contraction of

we are

We're happy to see you

Examples of 'were' in a sentence
were

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

Some of the entries were in French, some in English, some a mix of the two.The two guys in suits were in a huddle, talking in low voices. Even her clothes were different; stiff linen dresses, orange capri pants, midriff tops that tied at the bellybutton.