The phrase "were substantive" is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription /wɜːʳ səbstəntɪv/. The first sound, /w/, is a voiceless labio-velar approximant, followed by the vowel sound /ɜː/ which is a mid-central vowel. The letter "r" in the transcription indicates a rhotic vowel, and the schwa symbol /ə/ represents the second syllable. The word "substantive" is spelled with the consonant cluster /bst/ and ends in the vowel sound /ɪv/, representing the adjective form of the noun "substance."
The phrase "were substantive" consists of two key components: "were" and "substantive."
Starting with "were," it is the past plural form of the verb "be." "Be" is an irregular verb, used to indicate a state of being, existence, or identity. It can also convey attributes, qualities, or conditions. In the past tense, "were" is employed when referring to more than one person or entity.
On the other hand, "substantive" is an adjective that describes something with essential or significant substance, importance, or meaning. It can indicate that an idea or topic is substantial, relevant, or pertinent, carrying weight or value. Additionally, "substantive" can refer to a particular part of speech in grammar known as a noun or noun phrase, serving as the subject or object of a sentence.
Combining these two components together, "were substantive" denotes a situation or state in the past where multiple entities possessed or exhibited substantial qualities, characteristics, or attributes. It implies that those mentioned were deemed important, relevant, or significant at that particular time. It might also describe the presence of substantive elements, ideas, or topics that carried weight or importance in a past context.
The phrase "were substantive" does not have a specific etymology, as it is not a commonly used or recognized term in the English language. It seems to be a combination of two words: "were" and "substantive". Here is the etymology for each individual word:
1. "Were": This is the past tense of the verb "to be" in the second person singular or plural, and first and third person plural. It comes from Old English "wǣron" and has Germanic roots.
2. "Substantive": This word is an adjective that means "essential, significant, or substantial". It comes from the Latin word "substantivus", meaning "of substance" or "real".
It is worth mentioning that "were substantive" is not an established grammatical term, and its usage may vary depending on the context.