Where vs. Were: Do You Know the Difference?
The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation
Where vs. Were: Do You Know the Difference?
Where and were are words that look and sound similar. That’s probably why they could be easy to confuse sometimes.
If you want to know the difference—and, more important, consistently use the right word in context—this brief discussion will provide what you’re looking for.
Let’s start with a definition of each word, and then we’ll test your knowledge.
The Meaning of Where
Where is generally used as an adverb that refers to a geographic place or metaphorical (figurative) position. You probably know where best as a word that relates to location.
Here are a few examples of sentences that use the word where correctly:
I met her at the café where they offer free coffee refills.
Do you know where we go after departing the train?
This is where we saw that impromptu dance performance.
In each instance, where involves a physical place, which is the word’s most common usage. However, where also can be used to indicate figurative location or stand in for the words in which.
Examples
There is no telling where Janice’s ambitions will take her.
We have come to a situation where the two parties cannot reach their own agreement.
Where as it applies to Janice does not concern a physical location but rather her state of affairs at an undefined time. Similarly, where between the two parties does not indicate their locale but rather circumstances in which they find themselves.
The Meaning of Were
Were is a conjugation of the verb “to be.” It is used for the first-person plural (we), the second-person singular and plural (you, you), and the third-person plural (they) in the past tense. Were also is used for the subjunctive mood.
Here are examples of were being used correctly in the simple past tense:
I had no idea we were going to a surprise party.
There were performers everywhere at the carnival.
Here are examples of were being used correctly in the subjunctive mood:
If I were a Martian, I would not paint my house red.
If you were two feet taller, I’m sure you could dunk the basketball.
With this current understanding of the words where and were, you should be able to differentiate which to use in the right context. If any confusion does arise, simply remember that the word spelled with the extra –h is the one that relates most often to location.
Pop Quiz
Choose the proper word in each sentence.
1. Do you know [where / were] I left my jacket?
2. The potato wedges we made [where / were] fantastic.
3. Russell couldn’t remember [where / were] the second left turn should be.
4. Did you know your favorite artists [where / were] on tour last year?
5. We have arrived at a point in our story [where / were] it’s hard to predict the ending.
Pop Quiz Answers
1. Do you know where I left my jacket?
2. The potato wedges we made were fantastic.
3. Russell couldn’t remember where the second left turn should be.
4. Did you know your favorite artists were on tour last year?
5. We have arrived at a point in our story where it’s hard to predict the ending.
We Can Answer Your Grammar Questions
Some grammar topics might seem overwhelming or elusive at first glance. Once you break them into simpler concepts and examples, however, they get easier to master.
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