are的过去式是were，其英式读音为[wə(r)]，美式读音为[wər]。were是be 的过去时复数和第二人称单数形式，有时代替 was，用于条件从句、动词 wish之后；而are可作动词和名词，意思有“是”、“公亩”。
一、are的含义及用法介绍
are意为“是”，是be的第二人称单复数现在时，第一、三人称复数现在时。还可作为名词，意为公亩。例句有：
1、They are one of this year's hot new bands.
他们是今年走红的新乐队之一。
2、A new system has been devised to control traffic in the city.
控制城市交通的新系统已经设计出来。
3、With the coming of modern technology, many jobs were lost.
随着现代技术的到来，许多工作岗位不复存在。
4、A number of measures were taken to alleviate the problem.
采取了一系列措施缓解这个问题。
5、They are campaigning to save the area from building development.
他们正开展一场反对在这个地区进行房地产开发的运动。
6、There has been some decrease in military spending this year.
今年的军费开支有所减少。
二、were的含义及用法介绍
were是be 的过去时复数和第二人称单数形式;有时代替 was，用于条件从句、动词 wish 之后等。例句有：
1、Most of the problems were due to human error.
多数问题都是人为错误造成的。
2、A number of measures were taken to alleviate the problem.
采取了一系列措施缓解这个问题。
3、Things were going fine until you showed up.
你一露面就把事情搞糟了。
4、People with the disease were often treated as social outcasts.
患有这种疾病的人常被社会摈弃。
5、Many jobs in manufacturing were lost during the recession.
在经济衰退期，制造业有很多人失业了。
