The correct spelling of the phrase "were air" is /wər ɛr/. This phonetic transcription shows that the first syllable is pronounced with the schwa sound (/ə/), while the second syllable starts with an open-mid front unrounded vowel sound (/ɛ/). Together, they create the word "were," which is the past tense of the verb "to be." The following word, "air," is spelled as it sounds, with an open back unrounded vowel sound (/ɛr/). Therefore, the correct spelling of the phrase is essential for clear communication.