The spelling of "were member of" can be confusing for English learners. The correct spelling is "were members of," with a plural "members." In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced /wɜːr ˈmɛmbərz əv/. The word "were" is pronounced with the vowel sound /ɜːr/ and the word "members" is pronounced with a short vowel sound /ˈmɛmbərz/. The preposition "of" is pronounced with the schwa sound /əv/. Remember to use the plural form when referring to more than one member.
"Were member of" is a phrase that combines the past tense of the verb "to be" (were) with the noun "member" and the preposition "of." Each component of this phrase carries its own meaning, which can be understood as follows:
"Were" is the past tense form of the verb "to be," indicating that the subject (in the past) was a member of something at a specific point in time. It implies an individual or a group's belonging to a particular group or organization in the past.
"Member" refers to a person who belongs to a specific group, organization, or collective. It suggests an individual's active participation in and affiliation with a particular body.
"Of" is a preposition that indicates a relationship or belonging. In this context, it signifies the person or group's affiliation with a specific organization or group.
Combining these elements, "were member of" expresses the past tense identification and relationship of an individual or a group with a particular organization or group. It suggests that the subject was actively involved as part of a collective in the past. The phrase is commonly used when talking about individuals or groups who were officially part of an organization or held membership during a specific time period.