were
1 Americanverb
verb
contraction
Grammar
See subjunctive.
Usage
See contraction.
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
Etymology
Origin of were
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He had read the National Weather Service’s forecast for the day — temperatures were expected to be warmer — and handling any lingering hot spots would be easier with hoses in place.
From Los Angeles Times
Several times, the top generals were seen kneeling beside her to whisper in her ear as she sat with her father watching military parades.
From BBC
There were reports of similar displays across the capital.
From Los Angeles Times
These places were never built with the prospect in mind that they would one day come under attack from drones and ballistic missiles.
From BBC
O'Neill's side were heading for a second straight league defeat that would have left them nine points adrift off Hearts and five off Rangers.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
