# we

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/we
Updated: 2026-07-09

## Senses

### 1. speaker and others

pronoun · CEFR A1

you use this to talk about yourself and one or more other people together.

For teachers: the first-person plural nominative pronoun, referring to a group that includes the speaker or writer.

- We are going to the cinema tonight if you want to join us.
- We have decided to postpone the merger until the fiscal reports are fully audited by the external committee.

### 2. people in general

pronoun · CEFR B1

you use this to talk about all people or a specific society.

For teachers: used to refer to people in general, or to a specific community or nation to which the speaker belongs.

- We need to protect the environment for our children.
- As a society, we often overlook the long-term consequences of rapid urban development on local ecosystems.

### 3. editorial or royal use

pronoun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Literary

used by a single person, like a writer or a king, to sound more formal or powerful.

For teachers: the 'editorial' or 'royal' use of the first-person plural to refer to a single person acting in an official or sovereign capacity.

- In this chapter, we will explore the history of the Roman Empire.
- We are not amused by such trivial matters, the Queen remarked during the formal reception.

### 4. addressing someone else

pronoun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a way of saying 'you' to someone you are looking after, like a child or a patient.

For teachers: used to address a person or group being spoken to, often in a patronising or caring medical context.

- How are we feeling today? Did we sleep well?
- The nurse entered the room with a cheerful smile and asked if we were ready for our morning medication.

Usage: Commonly used by healthcare professionals or caregivers when speaking to patients.

### 5. we + noun

determiner · CEFR B1

used before a noun to show that the speaker belongs to that group.

For teachers: used as a determiner before a plural noun to identify the speaker as a member of the specified group.

- We students think the new library hours are much better.
- We citizens must demand greater transparency from our local government regarding the new tax laws.

## Examples

- We are going to the park now.
- If we finish the report by five o'clock, we can all go home early.
- We must consider the long-term environmental consequences of our current industrial practices if we hope to preserve the planet for future generations.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.