1. were not (past tense of 'be' for plural subjects)
（複數主詞）不是（be 的過去式）
They weren't at home yesterday.
他們昨天不在家。
We weren't ready for the test.
我們還沒準備好考試。
Weren't Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
weren't
verb
快速理解
What does "Weren't" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Weren't"?
「weren't」是「were not」的縮寫，主要用於否定過去狀態或假設情況。
- 1
否定過去狀態
EN: They weren't at home yesterday.
翻譯: 他們昨天不在家。
- 2
否定過去進行式
EN: We weren't watching TV when you called.
翻譯: 你打電話來時，我們沒在看電視。
- 3
用於否定第二人稱單複數過去式
EN: You weren't listening to me.
翻譯: 你（們）當時沒在聽我說話。
- 4
用於虛擬語氣或假設句
EN: If I weren't so tired, I would go out.
翻譯: 如果我不是這麼累，我就會出門。
小提醒：注意：「weren't」在假設語氣中（如 If I weren't...）可用於所有人稱（包括 I, he, she, it），這是特殊的文法用法，與直述句不同。
發音（How to Pronounce "Weren't" in English）
How to pronounce "Weren't" in English?"Weren't" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Weren't" from YouTube Videos
The Biggest Mistakes First-Time Founders Make - Michael Seibel
Y Combinator
“in the beginning of justintv, you know, we were kind of excited by the general idea of democratizing live video and making it easy for anyone online to share live video with their friends, but we weren't actually terribly in love with the people who chose to use the platform as a continue to grow, and only when Emmett kind of really refocused the company around video game streaming did we regain the love for our users.”
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Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Weren't"?How does "Weren't" change by context?
2. was not (past tense of 'be' for 'you' in formal/plural or 'they')
（正式/複數的 'you' 或 'they'）不是（be 的過去式）
You weren't listening to me.
你（們）沒有在聽我說話。
The keys weren't on the table.
鑰匙不在桌子上。
3. used in past tense questions and negative statements
用於過去式的疑問句和否定陳述句
Weren't you supposed to call me?
你不是應該打電話給我嗎？
I'm sure they weren't happy about the decision.
我確定他們對這個決定不滿意。
4. used in conditional sentences or to express unreal past situations
用於條件句或表達非真實的過去情況
If I weren't so tired, I would go out.
如果我不是這麼累，我就會出去。
She acted as if she weren't afraid.
她表現得好像她不怕一樣。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Weren't"?How to make natural sentences with "Weren't"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| weren't + noun/adjective | 不是（過去式，複數主詞） | We weren't happy with the result. (我們對結果不滿意。) |
| weren't + V-ing | 沒有正在（過去進行式，複數主詞） | They weren't listening to the teacher. (他們當時沒有在聽老師講課。) |
| weren't + past participle | 沒有被（過去被動式，複數主詞） | The windows weren't cleaned yesterday. (窗戶昨天沒有被清洗。) |
| If + subject + weren't, ... | 如果...不是（假設語氣，複數主詞） | If they weren't so busy, they would help. (如果他們不是那麼忙，他們就會幫忙。) |
| Weren't + subject + ...? | ...不是嗎？（過去式反問句，複數主詞） | Weren't you at the party last night? (你們昨晚不是參加了派對嗎？) |
用法說明
How is "Weren't" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Weren't"?
weren't doing vs. weren't to do
- weren't doing 用於描述在過去某個特定時間點或時段「沒有正在進行」的動作或狀態，強調動作的持續性。
- weren't to do 則表示過去「沒有去做」某件特定的事，或指「未被安排/預定去做」某事，強調的是動作的意圖、安排或可能性。
- 在假設語氣（如 If I weren't...）中，通常接形容詞、名詞或進行式，而不接 to do 不定詞來表示假設的狀態。 EN: They weren't listening when the teacher gave the instructions. 翻譯: 老師說明時，他們並沒有在聽。
EN:They weren't to listen to any music during the exam.
翻譯:他們在考試期間不准聽任何音樂。
EN:If I weren't working late, I could join you for dinner.
翻譯:如果我不是得工作到很晚，就能和你們一起吃晚飯了。
EN:We weren't to open the envelope until midnight.
翻譯:我們得到午夜才能打開那個信封。
總結建議
表達過去「沒有正在做」某事用 weren't doing；表達過去「未被允許、安排或預定做」某事則用 weren't to do。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Weren't" and similar words?How to choose "Weren't" vs alternatives?
weren't vs wasn't
「weren't」是「were not」的縮寫，用於複數主詞（you, we, they）或第二人稱單數「you」；「wasn't」是「was not」的縮寫，用於單數主詞（I, he, she, it）。
weren't vs aren't
「weren't」是「were not」的縮寫，用於過去式；「aren't」是「are not」的縮寫，用於現在式。
weren't vs didn't
「weren't」是「be動詞（were）」的否定縮寫，描述狀態；「didn't」是助動詞「do」的過去式否定縮寫，後接原形動詞，描述動作。
口語用法
How is "Weren't" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Weren't"?
引述
在口語中，常用來引述或轉述他人的話語，尤其是當引述的內容是疑問或否定時。 EN: He asked, "Weren't you supposed to be here at nine?" 翻譯: 他問道：「你不是應該九點就到這裡嗎？」
EN:I heard her say, "Weren't we meeting at the cafe?"
翻譯:我聽到她說：「我們不是約在咖啡館見面嗎？」
語氣強調
用於加強語氣，表達驚訝、質疑或尋求確認，常伴隨特定的語調。 EN: Weren't you the one who suggested this plan? 翻譯: 當初提出這個計劃的人不就是你嗎？
EN:Weren't they just here a minute ago?
翻譯:他們不是剛剛還在這裡嗎？
停頓填充
在思考或組織語句時，作為一種口語填充，引導出後續的論點或回憶。 EN: Weren't... wait, let me think, weren't we supposed to bring snacks? 翻譯: 不是…等等，讓我想想，我們是不是應該帶點心來著？
EN:It was last year, weren't... weren't you on vacation then?
翻譯:那是去年的事了，你不是…你那時不是在度假嗎？
正式寫作注意：在正式書面語（如學術論文、商業報告、官方文件）中，應避免使用縮寫形式 "weren't"，請使用完整的 "were not" 以符合文體規範。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Weren't"?What fixed phrases with "Weren't" should I remember?
if it weren't for
if it weren't for [noun/noun phrase]
要不是因為...
weren't you
weren't you [verb-ing/past participle]?
你當時不是正在...嗎？
as if it weren't
as if it weren't [adjective] enough
好像...還不夠似的
weren't able to
[subject] weren't able to [verb]
（當時）無法...
weren't supposed to
[subject] weren't supposed to [verb]
（當時）不應該...
weren't sure
[subject] weren't sure [clause]
（當時）不確定...
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Weren't"?Which "Weren't" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×If I wasn't there, I would have called you.
✓If I weren't there, I would have called you.
在假設語氣（與現在事實相反）中，第一、三人稱單數主詞後應使用 "weren't" 而非 "wasn't"。
×They wasn't at the meeting yesterday.
✓They weren't at the meeting yesterday.
複數主詞（they, we, you）或第二人稱單數 "you" 的過去式否定必須使用 "weren't"，不可用 "wasn't"。
×Weren't she happy with the results?
✓Wasn't she happy with the results?
在疑問句中，第三人稱單數主詞（he, she, it, 單數名詞）必須使用 "wasn't" 而非 "weren't"。
×There weren't any problem with the system.
✓There wasn't any problem with the system.
當 "there" 引導的句子中，後面的主詞是單數不可數名詞或單數可數名詞時，動詞應使用 "wasn't"。
×I weren't sure about the answer.
✓I wasn't sure about the answer.
第一人稱單數主詞 "I" 在直述句的過去式否定必須使用 "wasn't"，不可用 "weren't"。
×If they weren't helped us, we would have failed.
✓If they hadn't helped us, we would have failed.
在與過去事實相反的假設語氣中，應使用過去完成式 "hadn't" 來表示過去未發生的動作，而非過去簡單式 "weren't"。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Weren't"?What are tense/participle forms of "Weren't"?
weren't(past)