How To Pronounce “were”

were

function word

Strong form

Used in isolation, at the end of speech, or for emphasis or contrast.

Phonemic

/wɜː/

Phonetic

[wɜːʴ]

e.g. Yes, they were.

/jes.ðeɪˈwɜː/

Phonemic

/wɝː/

e.g. Yes, they were.

/jes.ðeɪˈwɝː/

Weak form

Used in connected speech (UK English adds a linking /r/ before a vowel).

Phonemic

/wə/

Phonetic

[wəʴ]

e.g. They were late.

/ðeɪ.wəˈleɪt/

Phonemic

/wɚ/

e.g. They were late.

/ðeɪ.wɚˈleɪt/

“were” is a function word, so it has more than one pronunciation. In normal connected speech the weak form is usual. The strong form is used when the word is stressed, said on its own or at the end of a phrase.

Strong form. In British English it is /wɜː/, and in American English it is /wɝː/. It is used in isolation, at the end of speech, or for emphasis or contrast.

Weak form. In British English it is /wə/, and in American English it is /wɚ/. It is used in connected speech (UK English adds a linking /r/ before a vowel).

Slashes / / show the phonemic transcription, the sounds that change meaning. Square brackets [ ] show the phonetic transcription, with the finer detail of how the sounds are actually made.

Questions About Were

How do you pronounce were in British English?

Strong form, /wɜː/. Weak form, /wə/.

How do you pronounce were in American English?

Strong form, /wɝː/. Weak form, /wɚ/.

What is the weak form of were?

The weak form of were is /wə/ in British English. It is the usual form in connected speech.

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