Definition of 'were'
English Easy Learning GrammarBeThe verb be is used as an auxiliary verb and it can also be used as a main verb. See
Types of main verb.
The verb be is irregular. It has eight different ... Read more
The verb be is irregular. It has eight different ... Read more
English Easy Learning GrammarThe subjunctiveThe subjunctive was formerly used in English for situations that were improbable or
that expressed a wish. It is only rarely used in modern British English. ... Read more
Video: pronunciation of
were
Word Frequency
were in American English
verb intransitive
pl. & 2d pers. sing., past indic., and the past subjunc., of
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word origin
ME weren < OE wæron, akin to Ger waren < Gmc base *wæz- < IE base *wes-: see be verb intransitiveWord Frequency
we're in American English
(wɪər)
contraction of
we are
We're happy to see you
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Word Frequency
were in British English
verb
▶ 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 insteadthe 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
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
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
Examples of 'were' in a sentence
were
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Definition of were from the Collins English Dictionary
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