であった (literary copula past)

grammar

7 sentences

The literary/written/formal past form of だ — であった (also である for present). Common in formal narrative, news writing, novels, essays, academic prose, and reflective prose; the colloquial equivalent is だった. Adds a measured, formal register. The classical/storybook ending ~のであった combines the explanatory の with であった for a definitive 'and so it was that...' closure. Conjugates regularly: であった (past), でない (negative), であり (continuative).

7 sentences

、。

Without being eaten, that octopus returned to the sea.

。

Before her marriage, she was a member of the Brown family.

。

She was a bundle of jealousy.

。

It seems she was happy.

、。

She wished for a more relaxed life, but in those circumstances it was impossible.

。

She looked as if she had been ill.

。

She had the face of someone who'd been sick for a long time.

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