Definitions
Were is the past tense of the verb 'be', used to indicate that something was true or existed in the past.
Example
If I were you, I would take the job.
Example
They were at the park yesterday.
Whir is a verb that means to make a low, continuous, regular sound, like the sound of a machine or an engine.
Example
The fan whirred quietly in the background.
Example
The sewing machine whirred as she worked.
Tips To Remember the Differences
Here are a few tips to easily distinguish the difference between these words while keeping in mind the description we've provided:
- To remember the difference between these two words, think of the 'h' in whir as representing the sound of the machine or engine. - You could also associate were with 'past tense of be' and whir with 'sound of a machine'.
Remember this!
Remember, were is the past tense of 'be', while whir refers to the sound made by a machine or engine.
