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tu l'étais

you were

→ tu
phrase Rare #38,722
you were The l’ refers to a quality, role, or state already mentioned or understood; English often leaves it unspoken.
FR: Tu l'étais avant, mais plus maintenant.
EN: You were before, but not anymore.

Je croyais que tu l'étais.

I thought you were.

Tu l'étais déjà hier.

You already were yesterday.

— Quand passent les cigognes (1957)

Je n'ai pas dit que tu l'étais.

I didn't say you were.

Je sais, mais tu l'étais plus avec lui.

I know, but you were more like that with him.

— Pour l'éternité (2025)

Tu l'étais.

You were.

Je n'ai jamais dit que tu l'étais.

I never said you were.

Tu l'étais forcément.

You must have been.

— Harry Potter à l'école des sorciers (2001)

Au début, tu l'étais.

At first, you were.

— Cold Storage (2026)