ESEN
Which one to use?Beginnercontractionverb (past)
We'revsWere
'We're' is the contraction of 'we are'; 'were' is the past tense of 'be' for I/we/you/they.
Side-by-side comparison
We're
contraction"We're" (with apostrophe) is always the contraction of "we are". If you can expand it and it still makes sense, you need the apostrophe.
We're going to need more time to complete the analysis before the board meeting.
I think we're on the right track, the numbers are starting to look much better.
Let me know when you're ready, we're waiting for you in the conference room.
Were
verb (past)"Were" without apostrophe is the past tense of "be" for the second person singular and for the plural: "you were", "they were", "we were". There is no contraction here.
The results were far better than anyone on the team had expected at that stage.
They were still discussing the contract when the client called to change the terms.
Where were you last Tuesday? We tried to reach you all morning but got no response.
Common mistake
- •The most common error: omitting the apostrophe and writing "were" when meaning "we are" in present tense.
- •Also common: "We're tired yesterday", past context requires "were," not the contraction.
Trick to remember it
- •Substitution test: plug in "we are", if it works, use "we're" (with apostrophe).
- •"Were" has no apostrophe and is the past-tense form like "was," but for we/you/they.
Quick rule
Can you substitute "we are" and it makes sense? Use "we're." Is it the past tense of "be"? Use "were."
Did you know?
WERE has a special grammatical role beyond simple past: it is the only mandated subjunctive form that survives in modern standard English. "If I were you, I would leave" = hypothetical subjunctive (correct). "If I was you, I would leave" = indicative informal (accepted in colloquial speech but wrong in formal English). This distinction. WERE for hypothetical conditionals contrary to fact, remains obligatory in IELTS, TOEFL, and Cambridge exam English, and in formal academic writing. The contraction WE'RE entered written English during the 19th century with the expansion of the periodical press and informal journalism.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
They _____ very happy when they heard the news.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
We _____ waiting at the station for over an hour.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Related word pairs
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One means to receive or agree to something, the other means to exclude or not include.
AdvicevsAdvise
'Advice' is the guidance you receive (noun); 'advise' is the act of giving that guidance (verb).
AffectvsEffect
'Affect' is the verb meaning to influence something; 'effect' is the noun meaning result or consequence.
AislevsIsle
'Aisle' is the walkway between rows of seats or shelves; 'isle' is a small island.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy