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Comprehensive English-Chinese Dictionary
- were
[wɝ]
[wəː]
[wə]
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1.
be的第二人称单数过去式及第一、二、三人称复数的过去式；be的虚拟语气形式
Collins English-English Dictionary
- were
[w3ː]
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1.
vb
the plural form of the past tense (indicative mood) of be and the singular form used with you. It is also used as a subjunctive, esp in conditional sentences
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2.
vb
[Etymology]
Old English werun, wæron past tense plural of wesan to be; related to Old Norse vera, Old Frisian weria, Old High German weron to last
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3.
vb
[Usage]
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
Examples
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The kids were hard to settle down since they were so worked up over this morning's football game.
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孩子们看了今天早晨的足球比赛后就十分兴奋，很难安静下来了。
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We were late because we were snowed in.
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我们被大雪困住，所以迟到了。
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it's a good thing you were there, it's a good job you were there
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[BRIT] 幸亏你在那儿
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Sixteen arrests were made, but only two men were detained.
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一共逮捕了十六人，可是只有两个人被拘留。
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I'm afraid that you're parents were lying when they said you were a good singer.
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恐怕当你父母说你是个非常好的歌手时他们是在说谎。
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His eyes were clear blue and his cheeks were red.
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他的眼睛清澈幽蓝，脸颊绯红。
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The common people were well treated because they were needed as workers.
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由于需要工人，普通人也受到了良好的对待。
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