We' and PRESENT (3 letters) 'are'. The term 'were PRESENT' is composed of two words, 'WE' and 'are'. The word 'WE' is a pronoun used to refer to a group of people, while the word 'are' is a verb that indicates the PRESENT tense. Together, they form a phrase that expresses the idea that a group of people were PRESENT at a certain place or time. This phrase is often used to indicate that a group of people were PRESENT at an event or meeting.