we're

We're going to the park to play on the swings.

Definition

1. Contraction:
   • Short form of "we are": "we're" is a contraction used in informal and standard English to combine the subject pronoun "we" with the verb "are". It functions as the first-person plural present tense of the verb "be".

Usage Examples

• Present state or identity:
  • We're happy to see you. (We are happy to see you.)
• Present action or activity:
  • We're going to the store now. (We are going to the store now.)
• Present condition or description:
  • We're tired after the long walk. (We are tired after the long walk.)

Advanced Usage

• In questions and negative constructions:
  • Aren't we're supposed to be there? (Note: This is grammatically awkward; standard usage prefers "Aren't we" or "We're not" for negatives. Correct usage: We're not late, are we?)
• In informal writing and speech:
  • We're all set for the trip. (We are all prepared for the trip.)
• With contractions for emphasis:
  • We're definitely coming. (We are definitely coming.)

Variants and Related Words

• We are (full form): the uncontracted form, used in formal writing or for emphasis.
  • We are ready to begin. (Formal version: We are ready to begin.)
• We've (contraction of "we have"): a different contraction, often confused with "we're".
  • We've finished our homework. (We have finished our homework.)

Synonyms

• We are: the full, uncontracted phrase.
• We're itself has no direct synonyms; it is a grammatical contraction.

Phrasal Verbs

• "we're" is not used in phrasal verbs, as it is a contraction of a verb phrase. However, it can appear in phrasal verb constructions:
  • We're looking forward to the party. (We are looking forward to the party.)

Related Idioms

• We're all in the same boat: meaning we are all in the same difficult situation.
  • Everyone is struggling with the deadline; we're all in the same boat.
• We're on the same page: meaning we agree or understand each other.
  • Let's discuss this until we're on the same page.