Join Discordavait
had (possession)
was (age or a physical/mental state)
felt/had (an experience or sensation)
had (auxiliary used to form the pluperfect — plus-que-parfait)
Elle avait déjà compris le problème avant tout le monde.
She had already understood the problem before everyone else.
Notes
GENERAL INFO
Avait is the imperfect tense of the verb *avoir* (to have) for *il*, *elle*, *on* (he, she, one). It means "had" (was having, used to have).
USAGE
It describes ongoing, habitual, or descriptive past actions/states. It often sets the scene.
Examples: "Il avait un chien." (He had a dog.) "Elle avait faim." (She was hungry.)
TRAPS
Don't confuse avait (imperfect: ongoing/descriptive past) with "a eu" (passé composé: specific, completed action). "Il avait mal" (He was in pain) vs. "Il *a eu* mal" (He felt pain).