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How to Say ‘There wasn't’ in French

Il n'y avait pas

eel n ee a-VEH pah

[eel n ee a-VEH pah]

💬 Usage Tip: Il y a "there is" becomes il y avait for the past. The n' and pas wrap around it to make it negative, so n' can't stand on its own.

Phrase Breakdown

Il n'y

eel n ee

There (not)

This is the start of 'il y avait', meaning 'there was'. 'N'' begins the negation. Say it 'eel-nee' as one flow.

Example

Il n'y a personne.

There is nobody.

Words in this phrase

Il

[eel]

it (impersonal)

Impersonal subject in the expression 'il y a' (there is/are).

Example

Il y a du soleil.

It's sunny.

n'

[n]

not

Shortened form of 'ne' used in negation before a vowel.

Example

Il n'y a plus rien ici.

There is nothing left here anymore.

y

[ee]

there

In or at that place.

Example

Y a-t-il une solution?

Is there a solution?

avait pas

a-VEH pah

wasn't / weren't

'Avait' is the past form of 'avoir'. 'Pas' completes the negation. Link the words: 'a-vay-PA'.

Example

Il n'y avait pas de pain.

There was no bread.

Words in this phrase

avait

[a-VEH]

had

Imperfect of 'avoir', used to form the pluperfect.

Example

Il avait déjà mangé.

He had already eaten.

pas

[pah]

not

Used with 'ne' to form a negative.

Example

Je ne comprends pas.

I do not understand.

Related guides

French Conversation for Beginners: 6 Everyday Dialogues You'll Actually UseSix basic French conversations for beginners, from greeting a neighbour and introducing yourself to booking a restaurant, with translations, native audio and the phrases that keep them going.Ordering in French: Cafés, Bakeries and Restaurants (with Menu Vocabulary)How to order in French at a café, a bakery and a restaurant: the phrases, the questions staff ask, and the menu and food vocabulary to understand the answers.

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