il n'y avait que

there was only

→ il
phrase Rare #33,883
there was only The phrase uses ne…que to mean “only.” With si, it can mean “if only there were.”
FR: Il n'y avait que deux personnes dans la pièce.
EN: There were only two people in the room.

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)

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

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

S'il n'y avait que ça.

If only that were all.

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

There were only six people at the meeting.

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 fête.

There were only six people at the party.

Il n'y avait que nous deux.

There were just the two of us.

Il n'y avait que nous trois au chalet.

There were just the three of us at the chalet.

— Assurance sur la mort (1944)

Il n'y avait que ça.

That was all there was to it.

Il n'y avait que nous.

There was only us.

Il n'y avait que ce sale clebs, dans l'appartement.

There was only that filthy mutt in the apartment.

— Ace Ventura, détective chiens et chats (1994)