The phrase "wert close to" is an archaic form of "were close to." In IPA phonetic transcription, it would be /wɜːt kləʊs tə/. The use of "wert" instead of "were" is an example of early modern English spelling, commonly found in Shakespearean plays and other literature from the 16th and 17th centuries. It is a remnant of Old English and Middle English verb forms, where "wert" was used as the second person singular past tense of "be."
"Wert close to" is a phrase that combines two words: "wert" and "close" with the preposition "to." Each component of the phrase contributes to its overall meaning.
Firstly, "wert" is an archaic form of the verb "were," which is the second-person singular past tense of "be." It indicates the state of existence or identity in the past. The inclusion of "wert" in the phrase suggests that the subject under discussion was situated or situated themselves in a specific position or situation.
Secondly, "close" is an adjective that denotes proximity, nearness, or a short distance between objects or locations. It can describe a physical closeness or an emotional or intellectual proximity.
Lastly, the preposition "to" is used to establish a relationship between two entities. It indicates a connection or a direction towards something or someone.
When combined, the phrase "wert close to" implies that the second-person singular subject of the sentence was or had been situated or positioned near or in proximity to something or someone. It emphasizes the subject's physical or metaphorical closeness to the object of discussion or reference.
The phrase can be further contextualized depending on the surrounding words or sentences, but its core meaning revolves around the subject's state of being near or in close vicinity to something or someone.