we'are → we're

Typing we'are, we 're, we' re, or we-are is a common slip that looks like a typo and can confuse readers. Use we're when contracting we + are, or write the full form we are for a formal tone. Below are clear rules, quick fixes, and many ready-to-copy examples for work, school, and casual writing.

Keep a short checklist handy and use the rewrites to fix sentences fast.

Quick answer: use we're (or write we are)

We're is the standard contraction of we + are. Wrong variants include we'are, we 're, we' re, and we-are. For formal writing, use we are. Otherwise use we're and place the apostrophe immediately where letters are omitted.

Correct: we're = we + are (the apostrophe replaces the omitted a).
Wrong: we'are, we 're, we' re, we-are (typos or spacing/hyphenation errors).
Quick fix: replace the wrong form with we're or expand to we are for formality.

Core explanation: what we're stands for

Contractions mark omitted letters with a single apostrophe. We're combines we + are; the apostrophe replaces the missing a. Writing we'are keeps the a and moves the apostrophe to the wrong spot, which reads as a misspelling.

Rule: place the apostrophe where letters are removed (we are → we're).
Anything inserting extra letters, spaces, or a hyphen is nonstandard.

Wrong: We'are ready to start the meeting.
Right: We're ready to start the meeting.

Apostrophes and grammar: a quick test

When you see a contraction, expand it. If the expanded form makes sense, put the apostrophe where letters are missing. This works for you're (you are), it's (it is), they're (they are), and we're (we are).

Test: expand → we + are → we are → apostrophe replaces a → we're.
If expansion fails (we'are does not expand into two valid words), the contraction is wrong.

Check: we're → we are; we'are → no valid expansion → incorrect.

Spacing and hyphenation: common visual mistakes

Fast typing and mobile keyboards cause two frequent errors: inserting spaces around the apostrophe (we 're or we' re) and using a hyphen (we-are). Both are nonstandard. The apostrophe must be adjacent to the letters it replaces: we're.

No spaces: we're - not we 're or we' re.
No hyphen: we're - not we-are.
If unsure about tone, write the full form: we are.

Wrong: We 're shipping the package today.
Right: We're shipping the package today.
Wrong: We-are hosting the webinar next month.
Right: We're hosting the webinar next month.

Real usage and tone: when to use we're vs we are

Use we're in conversational emails, chats, blog posts, and friendly customer notes. Use we are in formal reports, academic writing, legal text, or when you want emphasis. Be consistent with your tone across a document.

Three quick work-context examples, with contraction and full-form options:

Internal email: We're rolling out the update on Monday; please test the feature.
Formal memo: We are required to complete the compliance checklist by Friday.
Customer note: We're happy to schedule a demo at your convenience.

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence rather than the phrase alone. Context shows whether a contraction fits the tone and flow. Use your editor's find tool to locate variants like we'are, we 're, we' re, and we-are for quick fixes.

Examples: wrong/right pairs for work, school, and casual writing

Read the wrong example then the corrected sentence. Some corrections use the full form for formality or emphasis.

Wrong: We'are attaching the Q3 report to this email.
Right: We're attaching the Q3 report to this email.
Wrong: We'are required to cite three sources in the essay.
Right: We are required to cite three sources in the essay.
School - Wrong: We'are meeting in the library after class to review the project.
School - Right: We're meeting in the library after class to review the project.
School - Wrong: We'are planning to submit the lab report on Thursday.
School - Right: We are planning to submit the lab report on Thursday.
Casual - Wrong: We'are grabbing lunch-want anything?
Casual - Right: We're grabbing lunch - want anything?
Casual - Wrong: We'are so excited for the weekend!
Casual - Right: We are so excited for the weekend! (emphatic)
Casual - Wrong: We'are on our way; be there in 15.
Casual - Right: We're on our way; be there in 15.

Rewrite help: quick fixes and ready-to-use rewrites

Use this three-step checklist when you spot a suspicious contraction: remove spaces around the apostrophe, delete extra letters, choose contraction or full form by tone.

Checklist: (1) Remove spaces, (2) Remove extra letters, (3) Choose we're or we are.
When formal: prefer we are. When conversational: use we're.

Rewrite:
Wrong: We'are not able to attend the conference. → We're not able to attend the conference.
Rewrite:
Wrong: We'are finishing the draft tonight. → We are finishing the draft tonight. (more formal)
Rewrite:
Wrong: We'are hoping to launch on Tuesday. → We're hoping to launch on Tuesday.
Rewrite:
Wrong: We'are available for a call at 2pm. → We're available for a call at 2 p.m.

Memory tricks and tech fixes to stop the error

Small habits and editor settings can eliminate we'are from your drafts.

Mnemonic: "A is absent" - imagine the a stepping out and leaving an apostrophe: we(a)re → we're.
Set automatic replacements that convert we'are or we-are to we're.
Enable grammar checking that flags nonstandard forms and suggests we're or we are.

Usage tip: Add a keyboard shortcut that converts we'are → we're as you type.

Similar mistakes to watch for

The same expand-and-check strategy works for other confused contractions: expand the phrase, place the apostrophe where letters are missing, or use the full form if you need formality or emphasis.

Wrong: Your going to love it. →
Right: You're going to love it.
Wrong: Its time to start. →
Right: It's time to start.
Wrong: Their coming later today. →
Right: They're coming later today.

FAQ

Is we'are ever correct?

No. We'are is not standard. Use we're as the contraction or write we are for the full form.

Should I use we're in formal writing?

Prefer we are in formal documents, academic papers, and legal text. Use we're in conversational writing, emails, and friendly customer messages.

What if my phone keeps autocorrecting to we'are?

Remove the incorrect text replacement or create a rule that converts we'are to we're. Also add rules for we-are and misplaced spaces.

How can I find all instances of these mistakes quickly?

Search for patterns like we'are, we 're, we' re, and we-are. A grammar checker or linter will flag nonstandard contractions.

What's the safest quick rewrite when unsure?

Write the full form: we are. It's always correct and removes ambiguity about tone and apostrophe placement.

Need to check one sentence quickly?

If you frequently see we'are or odd spacing around apostrophes, paste the sentence into a grammar checker or add text replacements on your keyboard. A quick automated check saves time and keeps your writing consistent.