WERE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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were

[ wur; unstressed wer; British also wair ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb

a second person singular past indicative; first, second, and third person plural past indicative; and past subjunctive of be.

we're

[ weer ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

contraction of we are:
We're happy to see you.

were

/ wɜː; 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

we're

/ ��ɪə /

contraction of

we are

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Usage Note

See contraction.

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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

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Grammar Note

See subjunctive.

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of were¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English ��ǣ�� past subjunctive, ��ǣ�� 2nd-person singular past and ��ǣ��ǲ� 2nd-person plural past of wesan “to be”; cognate with Dutch, German waren, Danish var. See was

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51�Թ� 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 �ɱ��ō�� to last

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

It didn’t matter to the Clippers that the Houston Rockets were resting their core players.

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There were three holes in one - US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley jumped for joy alongside his two sons after sinking his tee shot on the sixth.

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Four years ago when many of these same seats were last contested, Boris Johnson was riding high in the polls thanks to the "vaccine bounce" which saw Britain gradually emerge from its pandemic isolation.

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Tammy said she was one of a number of girls who were driven to the racing in a limo and plied with alcohol throughout the day.

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They were Dallas navy and Mavericks retro green.

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