even yesterday

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "even yesterday" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something occurred recently, highlighting the immediacy or relevance of the event in relation to the present. Example: "I was surprised to find that even yesterday, he was still unaware of the changes happening in the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or even yesterday?

The Guardian

"Even yesterday there was a truck here".

The New York Times

Even yesterday she was dealt another blow.

The Guardian

Even yesterday, many of these people were projecting pet prejudices on to this shameful saga.

Independent

They told me even yesterday that he was not questioned yet.

The New York Times

I am sure that some people took a while to leave even yesterday.

The Economist

Even yesterday we asked them, 'Has Dzhokhar done any, like, answering?

The New York Times

"Even yesterday the wife was talking a fridge!" Mr. Habibu says.

The New York Times

Even yesterday she called Adam Smith Alan Smithh".

The New Yorker

"There's a greater possibility of that happening than even yesterday".

The New York Times - Sports

"Even yesterday, at the team meeting, one of the kids got my attention," Keen at Minnesota State said last week.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "even yesterday" to emphasize the immediacy or surprising nature of a recent event. For example, "Even yesterday, the stock price continued to climb, defying all predictions."

Common error

Avoid using "even yesterday" in contexts where the recency is already implied. For example, instead of saying "Even yesterday, I just saw him", consider "Just yesterday, I saw him" to avoid being repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even yesterday" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify when an action or event occurred. It emphasizes the recency of the event. Ludwig AI confirms the usability of this phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "even yesterday" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to emphasize the recency of an event. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's readily usable in written English. While it appears most commonly in news and media, it's versatile enough for various contexts, though writers should avoid redundancy with other time markers. Alternatives such as "just yesterday" or "as recently as yesterday" may offer nuanced emphasis. With examples drawn from authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, its usage and meaning are well-defined.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just yesterday

Replaces "even" with "just", emphasizing the recency of the event.

only yesterday

Similar to "just yesterday", focusing on the short time passed.

as recently as yesterday

Adds more emphasis on the recent nature of the event.

as late as yesterday

Focuses on the event happening near the end of the period before today.

not even 24 hours ago

Emphasizes the short amount of time elapsed.

the day before today

More descriptive and less direct than "even yesterday".

yesterday itself

Highlights the specific day being referenced.

in the last 24 hours

Broader timeframe, but still indicates recent occurrence.

up to yesterday

Similar to "until yesterday", indicating a duration ending yesterday.

until yesterday

Implies that something was true or ongoing up to yesterday.

FAQs

How can I use "even yesterday" in a sentence?

Use "even yesterday" to emphasize that something happened very recently, often surprisingly close to the present. Example: "Even yesterday, the CEO denied any knowledge of the scandal."

What can I say instead of "even yesterday"?

You can use alternatives like "just yesterday", "as recently as yesterday", or "only yesterday" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "even yesterday morning"?

While not strictly incorrect, "even yesterday morning" can be redundant if the context already makes it clear that you're referring to a recent time. Consider if "yesterday morning" alone is sufficient.

What's the difference between "even yesterday" and "yesterday"?

"Yesterday" simply refers to the day before today. "Even yesterday" adds emphasis, often suggesting surprise or disbelief that something happened so recently. The addition of "even" serves to highlight the unexpected nature of the event in relation to the present moment.