The spelling of the phrase "were sure" may seem straightforward, but it can be tricky for English language learners. The first word, "were," is pronounced as /wɜːr/, with the stress on the first syllable. It is the past tense of the verb "to be" for plural subjects. The second word, "sure," is pronounced as /ʃʊr/ with the stress on the first syllable. It means certain or confident about something. So, when you say "were sure," you are expressing that you and others were confident about something in the past.
"Were sure" is a phrase that consists of the verb "were" in the past tense of the verb "to be," and the adjective "sure." When combined, it creates a phrase that conveys an affirmation or certainty about a particular matter or statement from the perspective of a group or multiple individuals.
The verb "were" in this context refers specifically to the past indicative plural form of the verb "to be." It indicates that the subject, typically a group of people, individuals, or a collective entity, displayed or expressed a level of certainty or assurance. It implies a sense of conviction or confidence in a particular object, action, opinion, or outcome.
The adjective "sure" further emphasizes this certainty by suggesting unwavering confidence or belief in the subject matter. It implies a lack of doubt or hesitation. When combined with the past tense of "to be," it signifies that the conviction or confidence was present in the past.
Overall, "were sure" indicates that a group of people or a collective entity held a strong belief or certainty about a particular matter in the past. This phrase suggests a high level of confidence and lack of doubt in the subject under discussion.
The word "were sure" is not a distinct term in itself. However, we can analyze the etymology of the two constituent words: "were" and "sure".
1. Were:
The word "were" is the past tense of the verb "to be" used in the second person singular and plural, and the first and third person plural. Its etymology traces back to Old English, where it was spelled as "wǣron" (past plural form) and "wǣre" (past singular form). Ultimately, it derives from the Proto-Germanic word *wēz-, meaning "to dwell" or "to stay".
2. Sure:
The word "sure" originated from Middle English "sure" or "seur", which entered English from Old French "seur" meaning "safe" or "secure".