L'avait (en. Had it)

/lavɛ/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

verb

It is a conjugated form of the verb to have, expressing possession in the past.

She had always promised it.

Elle l'avait toujours promis.

Used to indicate an action or situation that occurred in the past.

He had said it last week.

Il l'avait dit la semaine dernière.

Groups an idea of continuity or unfinished action in the past.

They had already considered it before.

Ils l'avaient déjà envisagé auparavant.

Contracted form of 'il avait' (he had), from the verb 'avoir' (to have) with Latin roots.

he had said it

He had already made that statement.

il l'avait dit

she had understood it

She had grasped the idea or the situation.

elle l'avait compris

we had anticipated it

We had anticipated this event.

nous l'avions prévu

to have

Verb meaning to own or hold.

avoir

had

Third person singular of the verb to have in the simple past.

avait

to possess

To have in ownership.

posséder

Used to indicate an unfulfilled promise.

He had it, but in the end, he didn't do it.

Il l'avait, mais finalement, il ne l'a pas fait.

To express disappointment at unmet expectations.

I thought he had done it, but not at all!

Je pensais qu'il l'avait fait, mais pas du tout !