we

Everyday

1. We or us means the speaker and other people together. tree →
2. We can mean all people: «We need water to live». tree →
3. (casual) «Us» is used for «me» in parts of the UK and Australia: «Give us a hand» means help me. tree →
4. (casual) «We» can mean the speaker's team or country: «We won!» even if the speaker did not play. tree →
5. (formal) Exams use «we» in rules («we observe that») or avoid it with «one», «it is» and the passive: «It is observed that». tree →

In the lessons

the class learning together; rules in maths are often said with «we»: «When we share equally, we divide»; phrases: «let us (let's)», «all of us», «our class», «we're four» (there are four of us); in casual talk «give us a go», «us lot», «we was» (nonstandard); in rough talk «we don't want you here» (excluding someone, unkind); in the exam voice «we observe that», «it is observed that», «one may deduce»

Examples

• We have 20 crayons in our class. tree →
• When we share equally, we divide. tree →
• We breathe in air through our noses. tree →
• Let's go to the park after lunch. tree →
• All of us went to the museum. tree →
• We made the cake ourselves. tree →
• we're 4, need 3 each, how many sausages then tree →
• Give us a hand with these boxes, will ya? tree →
• We won 3 to 1, we're the best! tree →
• Us lot are getting pizza, 2 slices each. tree →
• It is observed that the quantity is divisible by 4. tree →
• One may deduce that each pupil receives 5 crayons. tree →
• "We have been asleep," they said. tree →

Note

Forms: we (subject), us (object), our (owner), ours. Carries no operation clue. Trap: «we're 4» or «there are 4 of us» counts the speaker too. «Give us» may mean «give me». «One» and «it is observed» are the exam's way of saying «we». Trap: «our» and «are» sound alike in some accents; «our» shows belonging.

In Jewish tradition

the class learning together; rules in maths are often said with «we»: «When we share equally, we divide»; phrases: «let us (let's)», «all of us», «our class», «we're four» (there are four of us); in casual talk «give us a go», «us lot», «we was» (nonstandard); in rough talk «we don't want you here» (excluding someone, unkind); in the exam voice «we observe that», «it is observed that», «one may deduce»

Examples

• So we abode in the valley over against Beth-peor. (Torah DEU.3.29, JPS 1917) tree →
• We know not who put our money in our sacks.' (Torah GEN.43.22, JPS 1917) tree →
• And our father said: Go again, buy us a little food. (Torah GEN.44.25, JPS 1917) tree →
• Consider, and afterwards we will speak. (Writings JOB.18.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• Art thou become like unto us? (Prophets ISA.14.10, JPS 1917) tree →
• No evil shall come upon us'? (Prophets MIC.3.11, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Forms: we (subject), us (object), our (owner), ours. Carries no operation clue. Trap: «we're 4» or «there are 4 of us» counts the speaker too. «Give us» may mean «give me». «One» and «it is observed» are the exam's way of saying «we». Trap: «our» and «are» sound alike in some accents; «our» shows belonging.