fosse un

was a

→ essere

phrase Uncommon #17,686

was a Used with a singular masculine noun. Fosse is a subjunctive form of essere and can also be translated as “were a.”

IT: Pensavo che fosse un errore.

EN: I thought it was a mistake.

Io non sapevo che Tom fosse un cantante.

I didn't know Tom was a singer.

Io pensavo che Tom fosse un ragioniere.

I thought Tom was an accountant.

Pensavi fosse un barbone.

You thought he was a bum.

— I visitatori (1993)

Sembra fosse un fallo.

It appears to have been a foul.

— L'organo genocida (2017)

Tyler come ha potuto credere che fosse un peccato che Marla morisse?

How could Tyler believe it was a shame for Marla to die?

— Fight Club (1999)

Io credevo che fosse un tuo amico.

I thought he was a friend of yours.

— Vite vendute (1953)

Avevo sempre creduto che quella frase fosse un proverbio, ma era proprio vero.

I had always believed that saying was a proverb, but it was actually true.

Mi sembra che fosse un Principe di Galles grigio.

I believe it was a grey Prince of Wales check.

— I diabolici (1955)

Io pensavo che Tom fosse un elettricista.

I thought Tom was an electrician.

Pensavi che Hideko fosse un agnellino.

You thought Hideko was a lamb.

— Mademoiselle (2016)

Pensavo che Tom fosse un tuo amico del liceo.

I thought Tom was a friend of yours from high school.

Non sapevo che Tom fosse un tuo amico.

I didn’t know Tom was a friend of yours.

Hai mai studiato qualcosa che non fosse un imbroglio?

Have you ever studied something that wasn't a scam?

— Malcolm X (1992)

Io pensavo che Tom fosse un veterinario.

I thought Tom was a vet.

La gente pensava che lui fosse un illustre scienziato.

People thought he was a distinguished scientist.

Non sapevo che Tom fosse un dermatologo.

I didn’t know Tom was a dermatologist.

Oh, vorrei che questa spirale fosse un paradosso.

Oh, I wish this spiral were a paradox.

— The Garden of Sinners Chapter 5: Paradox Paradigm (2008)

Pensavo che Tom fosse un elettricista.

I thought Tom was an electrician.