Were is the plural and the second person singular of the past tense of be1.
2.
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 GrammarBeThe verb be is used as an auxiliary verb and it can also be used as a main verb. SeeTypes of main verb. 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 orthat expressed a wish. It is only rarely used in modern British English. ... Read more
we're
(wiːəʳ)
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.
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 clausesexpressing 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
we're in British English
(wɪə)
contraction of
we are
we're in American English
(wɪr; ˈwiər)
we are
were in American English
(wɜr)
verb intransitive
pl. & 2d pers. sing., past indic., and the past subjunc., of
be
Word origin
ME weren < OE wæron, akin to Ger waren < Gmc base *wæz- < IE base *wes-: see be verb intransitive
Examples of 'were' in a sentence
were
Some of the entries were in French, some in English, some a mix of the two.
Hugo Wilcken THE EXECUTION (2002)
The two guys in suits were in a huddle, talking in low voices.
Hugo Wilcken THE EXECUTION (2002)
Even her clothes were different; stiff linen dresses, orange capri pants, midriff tops that tied at the bellybutton.
Lisa Scottoline RUNNING FROM THE LAW (2002)
All related terms of 'were'
be
You use be with a present participle to form the continuous tenses of verbs.
bist
to have presence in the realm of perceived reality ; exist; live
as it were
You say as it were in order to make what you are saying sound less definite .
as you were
a military command to withdraw an order, return to the previous position, etc
dreams were dashed
You can refer to a situation or event as a dream if you often think about it because you would like it to happen .
if I were you
You say ' if I were you ' to someone when you are giving them advice .
expectations were low
Your expectations are your strong hopes or beliefs that something will happen or that you will get something that you want .
expectations were dashed
Your expectations are your strong hopes or beliefs that something will happen or that you will get something that you want .