The phrase "were coming" is spelled using two separate words, "were" and "coming". The word "were" is spelled with the IPA transcription /wər/ and is pronounced with the vowel sound "uh" followed by the consonant sound "r". The word "coming" is spelled with the IPA transcription /ˈkʌm.ɪŋ/ and is pronounced with the vowel sound "uh" followed by the consonant sounds "k", "m", and "ing". When combined, the phrase "were coming" is pronounced with the stress on the second word and is often used to indicate a future action.
"Were coming" is a phrase in the English language that consists of two words, "were" and "coming". It is the combination of the past tense form of the verb "be" (were) and the present participle of the verb "come" (coming). The phrase is often used to indicate an action or event that is going to happen in the future from a past perspective.
In terms of grammar, "were coming" is the past continuous tense of the verb "come" when used in the first or third-person plural form. It suggests that at a particular time in the past, a group of people (or things) were in the process of moving toward a specific location, or that they were in the act of approaching a certain situation or event.
For example, when someone says "They were coming to the party last night," it implies that, from the speaker's perspective at that time, a group of individuals intended to arrive at the party. The phrase highlights the ongoing nature of the action and conveys a sense of anticipation or expectation.
"Were coming" can also be used figuratively, symbolizing the imminent occurrence or impending arrival of something non-physical. It can describe the approach of a condition, a change, an opportunity, or any other abstract concept.
Overall, "were coming" is a phrase that denotes the past continuous action of multiple individuals or objects moving towards a specific point or situation, either literally or metaphorically.
The phrase "were coming" consists of two main components: the verb "were" and the noun "coming". Here is the etymology of each word:
1. "Were":
- "Were" is the past tense of the verb "be", used specifically for the plural second person (you) and first and third person plural (we, they).
- The word "be" has Old English roots and can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word *wesaną.
- The Old English form "wǣron" eventually developed into Middle English "weren", which later became "were" in modern English.
2. "Coming":
- "Coming" is the present participle form of the verb "come".
- The verb "come" originates from Old English "cuman", which has West Germanic origins.