Were vs Where vs We're: The Difference Explained

Three Words That Sound Similar But Mean Different Things

Quick Answer

  • Were = Past tense of "are" (verb)
  • Where = A location or place (adverb/conjunction)
  • We're = Contraction of "we are"

Examples

❌ Incorrect:

"Where were you going?"

✓ Correct:

"Where were you going?"

This sentence is actually correct! "Where" asks about location, "were" is past tense.
❌ Incorrect:

"Were are you?"

✓ Correct:

"Where are you?"

Asking about location = where. "Were" is past tense, not a question word.
❌ Incorrect:

"Were going to the party tonight."

✓ Correct:

"We're going to the party tonight."

"We are going" = We're. The apostrophe replaces the "a" in "are."
❌ Incorrect:

"They we're at the store yesterday."

✓ Correct:

"They were at the store yesterday."

Past tense with "they" = were (not we're, which means "we are").
❌ Incorrect:

"I don't know were he went."

✓ Correct:

"I don't know where he went."

Asking about a location/place = where.

The Rules

WERE (verb) - Past tense of "are"

  • "We were happy." (past tense)
  • "They were late." (past tense)
  • "You were right." (past tense)
  • "If I were you..." (subjunctive mood)

WHERE (adverb/conjunction) - Location

  • "Where is the bathroom?" (question about place)
  • "I know where you live." (location reference)
  • "This is where we met." (place indicator)

WE'RE (contraction) - "We are"

  • "We're going home." (We are going)
  • "We're happy to help." (We are happy)
  • "We're the champions!" (We are the champions)

Quick Tips

💡 Were Test

Can you replace it with "was" (for singular)? Then it's probably were (past tense verb).

💡 Where Test

Does it ask about or refer to a PLACE? Use where. Think: "w-HERE" = here/there.

💡 We're Test

Can you replace it with "we are"? If yes, use we're with the apostrophe.

🔊 Pronunciation

Were = "wur"
Where = "wair"
We're = "weer"

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • ❌ "Were going to win" → ✅ "We're going to win"
  • ❌ "Were is my phone?" → ✅ "Where is my phone?"
  • ❌ "I wish I where there" → ✅ "I wish I were there"
  • ❌ "We're you at the party?" → ✅ "Were you at the party?"
  • ❌ "That's were I left it" → ✅ "That's where I left it"

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it "If I were" and not "If I was"?

This is the subjunctive mood, used for hypothetical situations. "If I were you" is grammatically correct because it's describing something that isn't real.

Can I use "where" as a conjunction?

Yes! "Where" can connect clauses: "I went where you told me." or "This is the place where we first met."

Is "we're" informal?

Contractions like "we're" are fine in most writing. In very formal documents (academic papers, legal writing), you might spell out "we are" instead.

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