yesterday
Yesterday refers to the day immediately before today. It is used to describe events, actions, or states that occurred in the very recent past, specifically one day ago.
Examples
3 of 5I went to the grocery store yesterday to buy some milk.
I went to the grocery store yesterday to buy some milk.
The board of directors approved the new budget proposal yesterday.
The board of directors approved the new budget proposal yesterday.
You should have seen the game yesterday; it was crazy!
You should have seen the game yesterday; it was crazy!
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'Y' in Yesterday as a hand pointing backward to the day that just 'Yielded' to today.
Quick Quiz
I finished my homework ______ and handed it to the teacher this morning.
Correct!
The correct answer is: yesterday
Examples
I went to the grocery store yesterday to buy some milk.
everydayI went to the grocery store yesterday to buy some milk.
The board of directors approved the new budget proposal yesterday.
formalThe board of directors approved the new budget proposal yesterday.
You should have seen the game yesterday; it was crazy!
informalYou should have seen the game yesterday; it was crazy!
Initial observations were recorded yesterday during the primary phase of the study.
academicInitial observations were recorded yesterday during the primary phase of the study.
We sent the finalized contract to your office yesterday afternoon.
businessWe sent the finalized contract to your office yesterday afternoon.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
born yesterday
born yesterday (naive or easily fooled)
yesterday's news
yesterday's news (something no longer interesting or relevant)
as if it were yesterday
as if it were yesterday (remembering something very clearly)
Often Confused With
'Yesterday' is the day before today, while 'last day' refers to the final day of a specific period or event.
Usage Notes
Yesterday is commonly used as an adverb of time at either the very beginning or the very end of a sentence. It can also function as a noun when referring to the day itself.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 'on' before 'yesterday' (e.g., 'on yesterday'). In English, you use 'yesterday' alone without a preposition.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'Y' in Yesterday as a hand pointing backward to the day that just 'Yielded' to today.
Word Origin
Derived from Old English 'geostran dæg', where 'geostran' means 'the other' or 'previous'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
The word is famously the title of one of the most covered songs in history by the Beatles, emphasizing themes of nostalgia.
Quick Quiz
I finished my homework ______ and handed it to the teacher this morning.
Correct!
The correct answer is: yesterday
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
History is the study of past events, especially those relate...
morningThe early part of the day that begins at sunrise and ends at...
agoUsed to indicate a point in time that is a specific distance...
afternoonThe period of time between noon and evening. It usually star...
pastThe past refers to the period of time that has already happe...
More Time words
hour
A1A unit of time that lasts for sixty minutes. There are twenty-four of these units in one full day.
century
A1A century is a period of 100 years. It is a common unit of time used to group historical events and long durations.
interval
A1An interval is a period of time between two events or actions. It can also describe the space between two objects or musical notes.
era
A1An era is a long and distinct period of history with a particular feature or characteristic. It is used to group years together based on a specific theme, person, or invention.
age
A1Age refers to the amount of time a person has lived or an object has existed. It is also used to describe a particular period in history or a stage of life.
Wednesday
A1Wednesday is the third day of the work week, occurring between Tuesday and Thursday. It is generally considered the middle of the standard five-day working week.
Friday
A1Friday is the fifth day of the week, falling between Thursday and Saturday. In many Western cultures, it is the final day of the standard work and school week.
weekday
A1A weekday is any day of the week except Saturday and Sunday. These are typically the days when people go to work or school, covering Monday through Friday.
tomorrow
A1The day that occurs immediately after the present day. It is used to refer to the near future or a specific date following today.
daily
A1The word daily describes something that happens every day or once in every twenty-four-hour period. It is used to explain the frequency of a habit, task, or regular event.
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