1. past tense second person singular, and past tense plural of 'be'
be 動詞的過去式，用於第二人稱單數及複數
You were at the party last night.
你昨晚在派對上。
They were happy to see us.
他們很高興見到我們。
We were students ten years ago.
十年前我們是學生。
Were Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
were
verb
快速理解
What does "Were" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Were"?
Were 是 be 動詞的過去式複數形式，也用於假設語氣。
- 1
過去式複數
EN: The past tense plural form of 'be', used with 'you', 'we', 'they', and plural nouns.
翻譯: be 動詞的過去式複數形式，與 you、we、they 及複數名詞連用。
- 2
第二人稱單數過去式
EN: The past tense form of 'be' used with the singular 'you'.
翻譯: 與單數的 you 連用時，be 動詞的過去式形式。
- 3
虛擬語氣/假設用法
EN: Used in the subjunctive mood to express hypothetical, unreal, or wished-for situations.
翻譯: 用於虛擬語氣，表達假設、非真實或願望的情況。
小提醒：注意：在虛擬語氣的 if 從句中（如 If I were you），即使主語是 I/he/she/it，也常使用 were 而非 was。
發音（How to Pronounce "Were" in English）
How to pronounce "Were" in English?"Were" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Were" from YouTube Videos
South Korea would accept Trump-Kim deal to freeze North Korea’s nuclear programme | BBC News
BBC News
“If this were presented as the final deal, it would be difficult to agree to, but as an emergency interim measure, Yes, I can agree to that.”
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Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Were"?How does "Were" change by context?
2. used in the past subjunctive mood for hypothetical or unreal situations
用於過去假設語氣，表示與事實相反的假設或非真實情況
If I were you, I would accept the offer.
如果我是你，我會接受這個提議。
I wish it were warmer today.
我希望今天天氣能暖和些。
He acts as if he were the boss.
他表現得好像他是老闆一樣。
3. used in past continuous tense (was/were + present participle)
用於過去進行式（was/were + 現在分詞）
They were watching a movie when I arrived.
我到的時候他們正在看電影。
You were talking too loudly.
你當時說話太大聲了。
We were planning a trip last summer.
去年夏天我們正在計劃一趟旅行。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Were"?How to make natural sentences with "Were"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| were + noun/adjective | 表示過去某狀態或身份 | We were students at that time. (那時我們是學生。) |
| were + V-ing | 表示過去正在進行的動作 | They were watching a movie when I called. (我打電話時他們正在看電影。) |
| were + past participle | 被動語態，表示過去被… | The windows were broken by the storm. (窗戶被暴風雨打破了。) |
| If I/you/he/she/it/we/they were... | 用於假設語氣（與現在事實相反） | If I were you, I would accept the offer. (如果我是你，我會接受那個提議。) |
| were to + V | 表示未來極不可能或正式的假設 | If he were to arrive early, we could start sooner. (萬一他提早到，我們就能早點開始。) |
用法說明
How is "Were" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Were"?
were doing vs. were to do
- were doing 用於描述過去某個時間點或時段正在進行的動作或狀態，是過去進行式。
- were to do 則用於表達過去對未來的安排、計劃、命令或可能性，常帶有「預定」、「應該」或假設的語氣。
- 在條件句中，were to + 動詞 常用於假設未來不太可能發生的情況，語氣比單純用過去式更正式、更不確定。
- 注意 were to have done 的結構，用於表達過去未曾實現的計劃或假設。 EN: They were watching a movie when I called. 翻譯: 我打電話過去時，他們正在看電影。
EN:The guests were to arrive at 8 PM, but the flight was delayed.
翻譯:賓客原本預定晚上八點抵達，但航班延誤了。
總結建議
在描述過去進行中的動作時使用 were doing，而在表達過去的計劃、命令或假設情況時則考慮使用 were to do。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Were" and similar words?How to choose "Were" vs alternatives?
were vs was
「were」和「was」都是 be 動詞的過去式，但用於不同人稱。「were」用於第二人稱單數（you）、複數（we, you, they）以及假設語氣；「was」用於第一和第三人稱單數（I, he, she, it）。
were vs where
「were」是 be 動詞的過去式，而「where」是疑問詞，意思是「哪裡」。兩者發音相似，但詞性和用法完全不同。
were vs wear
「were」是 be 動詞的過去式，而「wear」是動詞，意思是「穿、戴」。兩者發音相似，但意義和用法不同。
口語用法
How is "Were" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Were"?
引述
在口語中，'were' 常用於引述或轉述他人的話，特別是當引述的內容是假設性或非事實時。 EN: He was like, "If I were you, I'd take the job." 翻譯: 他當時就說：「如果我是你，我就會接受那份工作。」
EN:So she goes, "I wish we were on vacation right now."
翻譯:然後她就說：「真希望我們現在正在度假。」
語氣強調
在非正式對話中，有時會用 'were' 來強調驚訝、懷疑或反問的語氣，尤其是在句首。 EN: Were you even listening to me? 翻譯: 你到底有沒有在聽我說話啊？
EN:Were they really planning a surprise party?
翻譯:他們真的在計劃一個驚喜派對嗎？
停頓填充
在思考或組織語言時，說話者可能會用 'if I were...' 或 'as it were...' 作為一種填充語，以爭取時間或緩和語氣。 EN: It's a, if I were to put it simply, a major setback. 翻譯: 這是一個，簡單來說的話，一個重大的挫折。
EN:He's the team leader, as it were, but everyone makes decisions together.
翻譯:他算是團隊領導吧，但其實大家都是一起做決定的。
正式書寫注意：以上口語用法（尤其是用於停頓填充或非標準的引述結構）在正式寫作、學術論文或商業報告中應避免使用，以保持文體的嚴謹與清晰。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Were"?What fixed phrases with "Were" should I remember?
were it not for
were it not for [noun/noun phrase]
要不是因為...
as it were
as it were
可以這麼說；在某種程度上
if I were you
if I were you
如果我是你（用於給建議）
were to [infinitive]
if [subject] were to [infinitive]
如果...（表示假設或未來可能性較低的情況）
wish [subject] were
[subject] wish(es) [subject] were [complement]
但願...（表達與現在事實相反的願望）
as it were / as they were
[clause], as it were / as they were
可以說是；在某種意義上
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Were"?Which "Were" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×If I was you, I would study more.
✓If I were you, I would study more.
在假設語氣（與現在事實相反）中，主詞為第一、三人稱單數時，應使用 "were" 而非 "was"。
×I wish I was in London now.
✓I wish I were in London now.
在 "wish" 後面的子句中表達與現在事實相反的願望時，不論主詞人稱，動詞應使用過去式 "were"。
×They was at the party last night.
✓They were at the party last night.
主詞為複數（they, we, you）時，過去式 be 動詞應使用 "were"，而非 "was"。
×There was many people in the room.
✓There were many people in the room.
在 "There be" 句型中，be 動詞的單複數應與其後真正的主詞（people）一致。主詞為複數時，應使用 "were"。
×If they was coming, they would have called.
✓If they were coming, they would have called.
在與過去事實相反的假設語氣中，if 子句的動詞應使用過去完成式（had + p.p.）。但若假設情況與現在/未來事實相反，且主詞為複數，則應使用 "were"。此例句為混合假設，if 子句假設現在情況（他們要來），主句推論過去結果（他們會打電話），if 子句應使用 "were"。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Were"?What are tense/participle forms of "Were"?
were(past)been(past_participle)