Where, were and we're

Where, were, and we're sound alike, but they mean different things. We're going to discuss some tricks to use when you're trying to figure out which one you need in your sentence.

Where

Where is about place. It is used to ask about the location of someone or something, You can remember that by looking at the word like this:

W(here)

“Where” is like “here” because both show a location. For example:

Where is the park?
Where are they going?
I want to know where they went.

Were

Were is a past plural form of the verb to be. It means that a group of people or objects was somewhere or in some state at a point in the past.

We were alone out there.
They were afraid of the dark.
Sam and Tom were not finished with their assignment.

In each case, notice that were is describing a past situation.

We're

We're is telling you that we are somewhere. You can look at it like this:

We're = we + are

Whenever you use we're, you should be able to substitute for we are.

We're not going to be late this time.
I don't know when we're coming back.
Did they say when we're planning to eat dinner?
How come we're getting less?

Your and You're

Your and you're sound alike, but they mean different things. We're going to discuss some tricks to use when you're trying to figure out which one you need in your sentence.

Your

Your means it belongs to you. You can look at it like this:

Y(our)

“Your” is like “our” because both express ownership, or possession. For example:

Your car is parked in an illegal space.
Your apartment is really close to the subway.
We saw your friends outside the deli.

You're

You're is telling you that you are somewhere. You can look at it like this:

You're = you + are

Whenever you use you're, you should be able to substitute for you are.

You're not going to be late this time.
I don't know when you're coming back.
You're not serious, are you?
How come you're getting more more than I am?

Journal for the Day

All sections:

How would you react if you took Alice's place at the Mad Tea-Party? Choose a scene and re-write it using yourself as the main character.

Journal for the Day

All sections:

Freewrite!

Chapter 7 Reading Response Questions

1. What 3 characters does Alice meet in Chapter 7? How is their behavior similar to that of other characters in Wonderland?

2. Re-read the argument Alice has with the Hatter, Hare and Dormouse. Why does Alice's argument (I mean what I say) make sense, and their arguments (eating, getting what you like, and sleeping) not make sense?

3. How does the Hatter try to fix his watch?

4. Why are the Hatter, Hare and Dormouse always having a tea-party?

5. How do the characters deal with the problem of dirty dishes? Which character benefits from this solution?

6. Why does Alice finally leave the party?

7. Where does she end up at the end of Chapter 7? What do you think will happen next?

Chapter 6 Reading Response Questions

As you read Chapter 6, "Pig and Pepper," answer the following questions:

1. A footman is like a butler; he opens doors and delivers messages. How do the footmen in Ch. 6 behave?

2. How is Alice usually treated by the characters in Wonderland? How does she feel about it. Why? Use examples from Ch. 6 to support your points.

3. How does the Duchess' treatment of her baby go against what you'd expect? Using your knowledge of how Wonderland characters behave, why do you think this is?

4.What is Alice's intention when she takes the baby out of the house? What happens to the baby? Why?

5. Do you think the cat's argument about madness makes sense? Why or why not?

Journal for the Day

All sections:

What have you learned so far from Alice in Wonderland? Has it challenged you to think differently? Why or why not?