il n'y avait que

there was/were only

→ il

phrase Rare #30,965

there was/were only Used to say that only a person or thing was present or involved. In the expression « s'il n'y avait que… », it can mean “if only …” or “if that were the only problem.”

FR: Il n'y avait que deux personnes dans la salle.

EN: There were only two people in the room.

Il n'y avait que six personnes à la fête.

There were only six people at the party.

Il n'y avait que nous deux.

There were just the two of us.

Je me souviens quand il n'y avait que nous deux, Cece.

I remember when it was just the two of us, Cece.

— La Femme de ménage (2025)

S'il n'y avait que les enfants !

If only it were just the children!

— Le Garde du corps (1961)

Il n'y avait que six personnes à la réunion.

There were only six people at the meeting.

Aussi loin qu'il puisse voir il n'y avait que du sable.

As far as he could see, there was nothing but sand.

Il n'y avait que nous trois au chalet.

There were just the three of us at the chalet.

— Assurance sur la mort (1944)

S'il n'y avait que ça.

If only that were all.

Il n'y avait que ça.

That was all there was to it.

Il n'y avait que nous.

There was only us.