The phrase "were long" is spelled using the IPA phonetic transcription as /wər lɔŋ/. The initial sound, /w/, is a voiced labial-velar approximant followed by the schwa sound, /ə/. The final consonant, /ŋ/, is a voiced velar nasal. The vowel sound /ɔ/ is an open-mid back rounded vowel. The word "were" is the past tense of "are" and "long" refers to something with an extended length. This phrase indicates that something was not only lengthy but also existed in the past.
"were long" is a past tense phrase that combines the verb "were," which is the plural past tense form of the verb "to be," and the adjective "long." This phrase refers to a state of existence or duration in the past where something or someone had a lengthy or extended measurement in terms of length or duration.
In essence, "were long" signifies that the subject being described existed or remained for a considerable amount of time in the past. It can be used to describe the duration of an event, an object's dimensions, or the length of actions or states.
For instance, if someone says, "The meetings were long," it implies that the meetings in the past had an extended duration, possibly indicating that they were time-consuming or that they tested participants' patience.
Similarly, the phrase can be used to describe physical attributes. For example, "The bridges were long" emphasizes that the bridges mentioned had extended lengths.
Overall, "were long" denotes the past condition of something or someone having a notable extent or duration from a vertical measurement perspective. The phrase enables individuals to express and clarify past situations, events, or qualities that were significant in terms of their length or endurance.
The phrase "were long" does not have a specific etymology as it does not form a distinct word or have a clear etymological origin. "Were" is the past tense of the verb "to be" and "long" refers to duration or a great extent. However, when used together, "were long" would typically form part of a longer sentence or phrase. Without context, it is not possible to determine a specific etymology for this phrase.