What does "were" mean?

1. (past tense of 'be') the past tense of 'be' when talking about more than one person, or when using 'you'. 2. (imagined situations) used to talk about things that are not true or are just imagined, often after 'if'. 3. (shape-shifters) a person who can change into an animal, like a werewolf.

How do you use "were"?

Used with 'you', 'we', 'they', and plural noun phrases. In formal English, 'were' is used for all persons (I/he/she/it) in 'if' clauses.

Is it correct to say "They was at the park yesterday."?

No — say "They were at the park yesterday.". Use 'were' for plural subjects like 'they', 'we', or 'the boys'.

were

v. · n.

US //ˈwɝ// UK //wˈɜː// were

1 past tense of 'be' (v.)
A1 Beginner

the past tense of 'be' when talking about more than one person, or when using 'you'.

the past indicative form of 'be' used with second-person singular and all plural subjects.

Example

We were very tired after the long walk in the park.

Example

The witnesses were unable to provide a consistent description of the vehicle, leading to significant delays in the initial investigation.

Usage

Used with 'you', 'we', 'they', and plural noun phrases.

Pitfall

They was at the park yesterday.

They were at the park yesterday.

Use 'were' for plural subjects like 'they', 'we', or 'the boys'.
2 imagined situations (v.)
B1 Intermediate

used to talk about things that are not true or are just imagined, often after 'if'.

the past subjunctive form used in counterfactual or hypothetical conditional clauses.

Example

If I were you, I would take the job offer.

Example

If the company were to expand into the European market now, it would require a substantial injection of venture capital.

Usage

In formal English, 'were' is used for all persons (I/he/she/it) in 'if' clauses.

Teacher's tip

While 'If I was' is common in casual speech, 'If I were' remains the standard for formal writing and exams.

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3 shape-shifters (n.)
C2 Proficiency Slang

a person who can change into an animal, like a werewolf.

a person possessing the ability to metamorphose into another form, typically an animal.

Example

The movie features a group of weres who live in the forest.

Example

The novel explores a hidden society of weres, focusing on the internal politics between the wolf and feline factions.

Teacher's tip

This is a niche term found mostly in fantasy fiction and gaming subcultures.
- shapeshifter
- lycanthrope

Etymology 1

From Proto-Indo-European h₂wes- through Proto-Germanic wēzun, wēzīn and Proto-West Germanic wāʀīn to Old English wǣre, wǣron, wǣren. Inherited into Middle English as were, weren, with the modern form were established by regular sound change.

Etymology 2

Inherited from Middle English were, wer, see wer.

Etymology 3

From the same Old English root as wer ("man"), preserved in compounds such as werewolf and extracted by back-formation.