The phrase "were control of" is spelled as /wɜr/ /kənˈtroʊl/ /ʌv/. The first word, "were," is pronounced with a schwa vowel sound /ə/ in the second syllable. The second word, "control," is spelled with a "c" and "t" because they represent the /k/ and /t/ sounds respectively. The final word, "of," is spelled with an "o" and "f" because they represent the /ɑ/ and /f/ sounds respectively. Together, these words indicate possession or dominance of something.