The spelling of the phrase "were ready" may seem straightforward, but its pronunciation can be somewhat tricky. In IPA phonetic transcription, it would be /wɜr ˈrɛdi/. The "w" and "r" sounds are pronounced separately, but smoothly connected. The "e" in "were" sounds like the "ur" in "nurse," and the second "e" in "ready" is pronounced like "eh." This construct of "we're" is a contraction of "we" and "are," which is why "were" is used instead of "was" in the phrase.
"Was ready" is a verb phrase that describes the state of being prepared or fully equipped for a particular situation or task at a specific past moment. It is the past tense form of the verb "to be" in conjunction with the adjective "ready." When something or someone is "ready," it means they have completed all necessary preparations, have the required skills or resources, and are prepared to undertake a specific action or face a specific challenge.
"Was ready" refers to a past event or time frame, suggesting that the person or thing had reached a state of readiness at that specific point in the past. It indicates that all necessary prerequisites or actions had been taken or completed to ensure successful execution or engagement.
The phrase "was ready" can also imply a prompt response or a sense of being prepared to tackle a task without delay. It can connote enthusiasm, determination, or resourcefulness in taking action swiftly.
Overall, "was ready" conveys the idea of having made the necessary arrangements or preparations to confront a situation with full readiness, competency, and promptness at a specific past moment.
The phrase "were ready" does not have a specific etymology as it is comprised of two separate words.
"Were" is the past tense of the verb "be" (in its plural form). In Old English, it was known as "wǣron" and evolved into "were" in Middle English. The origin of "be" is uncertain but can be traced to Proto-Germanic *wesaną.
"Ready" is derived from the Old English word "rǣde" meaning "prepared" or "prompt". It can be further traced to the Proto-Germanic word *garaidijaz, which means "arranged" or "equipped".