Were vs. We’re – The Difference Plus a Free Worksheet

“Were” and “we’re” are two commonly confused words in the English language, despite their slight difference in pronunciation. Many English learners and even native speakers and writers often mix up these terms due to their similar spelling and sound. This article aims to clarify the difference between these frequently misused words, providing clear explanations and practical examples to help improve your grammar skills.

By the end of this guide, you’ll have a solid understanding of when to use “were” versus “we’re,” along with some helpful tips and mnemonics to remember the distinction.

The Meaning of “Were” and Its Usage

“Were” is the past tense form of the verb “be” for plural subjects and some singular subjects in conditional statements. It’s used to describe a state or condition in the past.

Examples in a sentence:

• We were excited about the concert last night.
• If I were you, I’d take that job offer.

In the first example, “were” indicates a past state of excitement. In the second, it’s used in a conditional statement to express a hypothetical situation.

Understanding “We’re”: Present Tense Contraction

Now, let’s talk about “we’re”. Contractions are great. They’re like a shortcut in the English language and make our speech more natural and our writing more conversational.

Examples:

• We’re going to need a bigger boat.
• I think we’re lost… again. (Something I often find myself saying when trying a new shortcut.)

In both cases, “we’re” describes a present situation or state.

Key Differences Between “Were” and “We’re”

Understanding the differences between these two words is crucial for correct usage:

1. Tense:
   • “Were” is used for past tense.
   • “We’re” is used for present tense.
2. Grammar Function:
   • “Were” is a verb on its own.
   • “We’re” is a contraction of a pronoun and a verb.
3. Pronunciation: While similar, there is a subtle difference in pronunciation:
   • “Were” is typically pronounced /wər/, like “fur”.
   • “We’re” is often pronounced /wɪər/, like “fear” with a slight ‘ee’ sound before the ‘r’. The difference can be very subtle in casual speech, which contributes to the confusion.
4. Spelling:
   • “Were” is spelled W-E-R-E.
   • “We’re” includes an apostrophe: W-E-apostrophe-R-E.

A Helpful Mnemonic for Remembering the Difference

Here’s a memory aid I’ve found useful for my students:

“We’re aware we were confused, but now we’re not.”

This sentence uses both “we’re” (present tense) and “were” (past tense), helping you remember the correct usage of each.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Let’s look at some frequent errors and how to correct them:

1. Incorrect: “We’re going to the party last night.” Correct: “We were going to the party last night.” Remember, if you’re talking about the past, use “were”.
2. Incorrect: “Were going to be late!” Correct: “We’re going to be late!” If you can replace it with “we are”, use “we’re”.
3. Incorrect: “If we we’re cats, we’d have nine lives.” Correct: “If we were cats, we’d have nine lives.” In conditional statements, use “were”, not “we’re”.

Practicing “Were” vs. “We’re”

The key to mastering the difference between “were” and “we’re” is practice. Pay attention to how these words are used in books, articles, TV shows, or even memes. Here are a couple of examples you might come across:

• “We were on a break!” (A famous line from the TV show “Friends” that uses “were” correctly in past tense)
• “We’re gonna need more coffee.” (A sentiment I often express in the present tense)

When in doubt about using “we’re”, try expanding it to “we are”. If it fits, you’re on the right track. If it sounds awkward, go with “were”.

Test Your We’re vs Were Knowledge

Now, let’s see how well you’ve absorbed my wisdom:

1. We’re/Were you at the game yesterday?
2. We’re/Were planning to go to the beach tomorrow.
3. If I we’re/were you, I’d think twice about that internship.
4. The jokes we’re/were hilarious, so we couldn’t stop laughing.

(Answers: 1. Were, 2. We’re, 3. were, 4. were)

How did you do? If you aced it, great job! If not, don’t worry – download our worksheets for more practice!

The Foolproof Method I Use for Choosing We’re or Were

When I’m in doubt, here’s the trick I use:

1. If I’m talking about the past or a hypothetical situation, I go with “were”.
2. If I can replace the word with “we are” and the sentence still makes sense, I know “we’re” is the right choice.

Conclusion: We’re Always Learning

I hope I’ve managed to demystify the “we’re” vs “were” conundrum for you. Were you able to follow along?

Remember, in my experience, mastering English grammar isn’t about being perfect – it’s about communicating clearly and effectively. So don’t be afraid to make mistakes; they’re how we learn and grow. I know I’ve made my fair share!

If you want to practice more, I’ve created some worksheets that you can download. They’re packed with exercises to help you master these tricky words.

Keep practicing, keep learning, and most importantly, keep having fun with language.