we
we — pronoun
1. the word a speaker chooses for a group that contains both themselves and one or
the word a speaker chooses for a group that contains both themselves and one or more companions; it stands before a verb and points to that whole group.
Mert and I are cousins, so we spent every summer at our grandmother's farm.
we as subject after named group members
Ava called from the airport to say she and Yan had landed, so we drove out to meet them.
we including speaker plus listener
After the long hike, the four of us were exhausted, but we still managed to cook dinner.
My sister and I argue about everything, yet somehow we always end up laughing together.
Renata waved across the cafe and shouted, "Over here! We saved you a seat by the window."
文法句型
we + verb
we + are/were + adjective
用法筆記
Subject form only; the object form is 'us' and the possessive is 'our' or 'ours'. Always takes a plural verb (we are, we have), even when the group is just two people.
常見錯誤
2. the word a teacher, writer, or presenter uses to include the audience together w
the word a teacher, writer, or presenter uses to include the audience together with themselves, so that everyone feels they are working through an idea as one group.
In this chapter, we will examine why the Roman bridge in Anong's village has stood for two thousand years.
we in academic writing including the reader
Mr Pim tapped the whiteboard: "Before moving on, let us recall the causes of the French Revolution."
let us / we pairing in classroom prose
Professor Diego pointed at the diagram: "As we saw last Tuesday, the left ventricle pumps blood through the body."
Now that we understand the basic recipe, the chef can show us how to add the spices.
文法句型
we + verb (in lectures, articles, books)
用法筆記
Common in textbooks, lectures, science articles, and TV documentaries. Distinguish from sense 1: here the listener or reader has not actually been doing anything, but the speaker pulls them into a shared mental journey.
常見錯誤
3. the word used to mean human beings as a whole or a wide community such as a coun
the word used to mean human beings as a whole or a wide community such as a country or generation, when the speaker counts themselves as one ordinary member of that big group.
If we keep dumping plastic into the ocean, future generations will inherit a poisoned planet.
we = humanity
We tend to remember bright colours more easily than dull ones, which is why warning signs are usually red.
we for general human behaviour
Zuri argued that as a country, we spend too little on public libraries and too much on motorways.
The historian Defne told visitors, "Three hundred years ago, we believed that frequent bathing weakened the body."
Dr Beatrix clapped her hands and told the students, "When we hear a sudden bang, our hearts race instantly."
- they
marks an outsider group the speaker does not belong to
文法句型
we + verb (general truth)
用法筆記
The reference group is left vague on purpose — humans, citizens of one country, or one age group. Distinguish from sense 1, where 'we' points to a specific small set of people the listener can name.
常見錯誤
4. a warm, slightly playful 'we' that actually points at the listener alone — typic
a warm, slightly playful 'we' that actually points at the listener alone — typical of nurses, parents, and teachers who want to sound encouraging rather than commanding.
The nurse smiled at Tamar and asked, "And how are we feeling this morning, dear?"
hospital register: nurse addressing patient
"Have we finished our vegetables?" Ravindra's grandmother asked, peering at the toddler's plate.
addressing a small child as 'we'
The kindergarten teacher knelt down and said gently, "Are we ready to put our shoes on now?"
"So, what are we drawing today?" the art tutor asked Maeve, who was holding a pink crayon.
- you
the literal meaning; choose this in neutral or formal speech
文法句型
we + verb (spoken to one listener)
用法筆記
Mostly heard in care settings and conversations with very young children; some adults find it patronising when used on them. The verb still takes the plural form (we are, we have) even though only one person is meant.
常見錯誤
5. an old, ceremonial way for a single king, queen, or pope to refer to themselves,
an old, ceremonial way for a single king, queen, or pope to refer to themselves, treating the office as bigger than the one person who holds it; sometimes called the royal 'we'.
Standing on the palace balcony, the queen declared, "We are not amused by the latest scandal in our court."
classic royal speech opening
In his Christmas message, the king began, "We send our warmest greetings to every household in the kingdom."
ceremonial broadcast register
The medieval charter began, "We, by the grace of God, hereby grant these lands to the abbey."
When the new pope said, "We thank the cardinals for their trust," reporters noted the traditional plural form.
- I
the modern, plain alternative for any speaker who is not a monarch
文法句型
we + verb (used by a single sovereign)
用法筆記
Today this use is mainly historical or ceremonial; modern monarchs more often say 'I' in casual interviews. Distinguish from sense 2 (which includes the audience) — the royal 'we' deliberately excludes everyone except the speaker.