he was there
Il était là il y a une seconde.
He was here a second ago.
I was told he was there.
I thought he was there.
Il était là, mais il est vite parti parce qu'il était pressé.
He was there, but he left quickly because he was in a hurry.
Il était là quand Pramod est arrivé à l'heure, les bras pleins de cadeaux.
He was there when Pramod arrived on time, his arms full of gifts.
— Andhadhun (2018)
On ne pouvait même pas approcher de la montagne quand il était là.
We couldn't even get near the mountain when he was there.
— Princesse Mononoké (1997)
Je me suis réveillé, il était là.
I woke up, he was there.
He was here an hour ago.
I knew he was there.