A contraction is a word that has been shortened from two words into one.
we are = we’re
We are late for school.
We’re late for school.
Anytime you shorten we are to we’re, you must insert an apostrophe where a letter was removed.
The word were is a past tense verb.
We are late for school.
We were late for school.
The verb were does not use an apostrophe.
Be sure to use an apostrophe in the contraction we’re to show where a letter was removed. The verb were does not use an apostrophe.
▶Now you try it. Decide which sentence contains a contraction that needs an apostrophe: You and I were on the same team last year. I am happy that were friends. Did you find the contraction in the second sentence? Good for you!