first thing yesterday

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first thing yesterday" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically intended to refer to the earliest part of the day before the current day, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "I called you first thing yesterday morning to discuss the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Bond's dreams were shattered the first thing yesterday morning.

The New York Times - Sports

That's what popped up on the home page of my online service first thing yesterday morning: "Amazin' disgrace".

The New York Times

10.56am BST "I will forgive Cook many of his failings", posits the magnanimous Ravi Nair, "if he makes up for not playing Ali first thing yesterday, by not playing him first thing today either.

The Guardian - Sport

Souness had the company of Freddy Shepherd at the training ground first thing yesterday, a chairman who it is believed would happily consider Robbie Keane in part- exchange for Jermaine Jenas, a player all at the club expect to join Spurs soon.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

And buried first thing tomorrow morning".

The New Yorker

Andrew Sparrow will be with you first thing tomorrow.

The Guardian

I can get you those files first thing tomorrow.

The New Yorker

"Au contraire — I'm getting myself discharged A.M.A., first thing tomorrow".

The New Yorker

First thing tomorrow I'm looking into moving Max to a different school".

Independent

I made a mental note to buy myself both those items first thing tomorrow.

The New Yorker

"Au contraire—I'm getting myself discharged A.M.A., first thing tomorrow".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To ensure clarity, use more precise phrasing like "first thing in the morning yesterday" or "early yesterday" instead of the ambiguous "first thing yesterday".

Common error

Avoid using "first thing yesterday" as it can confuse readers about the specific time frame. Opt for clearer expressions to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first thing yesterday" functions as an adverbial phrase, attempting to specify when an action occurred. It aims to denote the beginning of the previous day. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this phrasing is not considered grammatically correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Sport

25%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "first thing yesterday" attempts to specify an action occurring at the beginning of the previous day, it's generally considered grammatically awkward and unclear according to Ludwig. Its primary function is adverbial, indicating timing, yet it's better to opt for clearer and more precise alternatives such as "first thing in the morning yesterday" or "early yesterday". Predominantly found in news and sports contexts, its register is neutral, though formal writing should favor more conventional phrasing. Use precise language and avoid ambiguity by choosing alternatives that specify the time frame directly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first thing in the morning yesterday

This alternative is the most direct and grammatically correct way to express the original intent.

at the start of yesterday

This option emphasizes the beginning of yesterday as a point in time.

yesterday morning

This alternative specifically indicates the morning portion of yesterday.

early yesterday

This alternative is a more concise way of saying something happened in the early part of yesterday.

at dawn yesterday

This specifies that the event happened very early in the morning yesterday.

at the break of day yesterday

Similar to 'at dawn', this indicates the event occurred at the beginning of daylight yesterday.

bright and early yesterday

This idiom adds emphasis to the early timing of the event yesterday.

right away yesterday

Focuses on the immediacy of the action taken yesterday.

at the crack of dawn yesterday

This idiom means very early in the morning yesterday, just as the sun rises.

promptly yesterday

Suggests the action was completed quickly and without delay during yesterday.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically sound alternative to "first thing yesterday"?

Prefer phrases like "first thing in the morning yesterday" or simply "yesterday morning" for better clarity.

Is "first thing yesterday" considered correct in formal English?

No, "first thing yesterday" is generally considered awkward. More precise alternatives, such as "yesterday morning" or "first thing in the morning yesterday", are preferred.

When is it appropriate to use "first thing yesterday"?

While occasionally found in informal contexts like news reporting, it's best to avoid "first thing yesterday" in formal writing. Opt for "at the start of yesterday" or similar phrases for clarity.

How can I rephrase "first thing yesterday" to emphasize immediacy?

Instead of "first thing yesterday", you could use "early yesterday" or "promptly yesterday" to highlight the quick action taken.