したものだ

used to do; did something (often with a sense of reflection, admiration, or regret)

→ 為る

phrase Common #2,225

used to do; did something (often with a sense of reflection, admiration, or regret) After a verb in the past tense, ものだ can describe a habitual action in the past. Depending on context, it can also express a reaction to an action, such as admiration or regret.

JA: 子供のころ私は放課後に野球をしたものだ。

EN: When I was a child, I used to play baseball after school.

兄はよく徹夜をしたものだ。

My older brother used to pull all-nighters a lot.

過去の王達は…ひどく没落したものだと嘆いていたわ。

They lamented that the kings of the past had fallen so far.

— アトランティス失われた帝国 (2001)

こんなことをするとは彼は馬鹿なことをしたものだ。

It was foolish of him to do such a thing.

彼が一人でぶつぶつ不平を言っているのを彼女はよく耳にしたものだ。

She would often hear him muttering complaints to himself.

アニーは不安な気持ちで食事をしたものだ。