were

¹

[ wur; unstressed wer; British also 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 of

1. we are

Usage Note

See contraction.

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

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

Having yourself immortalized with a paunch indicated you were wealthy/held high office/were involved in derring-do.

From The Daily Beast

If you find yourself hungering for more humorous were-action, check out the British version of Being Human on BBC America.

From The Daily Beast

So too, does Henry Kissinger and did the late Arthur Schlesinger Jr., but they are/were apparently another story.

From The Daily Beast

There was a certain difficulty in obtaining the necessary funds without announcing precisely what they-were for.

From Project Gutenberg

In pattern it showed bright green flowers-that-never-were sprawling on a purple background.

From Project Gutenberg

In Abyssinia, at the present day, blacksmiths are considered to be were-wolves, according to Winstanley.

From Project Gutenberg

In tropic countries we have stories of supernatural snakes, who appear in various forms, as were-snakes, shall we say?

From Project Gutenberg

Accordingly they returned to the Court, where the 288 were-wolf became an object of the greatest curiosity to all.

From Project Gutenberg