how about yesterday

USAGE SUMMARY

"how about yesterday" is a valid and correct phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to something that happened (or could have happened) the previous day. For example: "I was going to take you out for dinner, but you told me you were busy. So how about yesterday?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"How about yesterday?" Washburn said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"How about yesterday Yesterdayday she was good in the morning and afternoon, but in the evening she was sleeping so soundly".

The New Yorker

How about today's game.

The New York Times

"How about tomorrow night?" the Sheikh replied.

The New Yorker

How about three years ago?

The Guardian - Opinion

How about next month?

The New York Times - Sports

"How about this year?" Kielty said.

The New York Times

But how about tomorrow morning instead?

The New York Times

How about New Year's Eve for the children?

The New York Times - Food

"How about tomorrow?" "We've failed, Janelle," he said.

The New Yorker

How about this year for Christmas I get you some lotions?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates what you're suggesting as an alternative.

Common error

Avoid using "how about yesterday" if the topic of discussion has significantly changed or moved beyond the original time frame. It's best when it directly relates to a previous arrangement or discussion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how about yesterday" functions as a suggestion or proposal. It offers a specific alternative time frame for a previously discussed or planned activity. This is supported by Ludwig, which indicates its use in suggesting alternative arrangements.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how about yesterday" serves as a suggestion for shifting an event to the day before. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct, although relatively rare. Primarily used in News & Media contexts, it's a straightforward way to propose an alternative arrangement. Remember to use it when the temporal context is clear and directly relates to a previous plan. Formal alternatives like "Would yesterday be suitable?" can be used for more professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What about yesterday?

Rephrasing with "what" instead of "how" retains the suggestion but might sound slightly more direct.

How does yesterday sound?

Asks for an opinion on the day.

Yesterday, perhaps?

Inverts the structure for emphasis, suitable in contexts seeking confirmation or agreement.

Shall we consider yesterday?

Asks for confirmation.

Could yesterday work?

Shifts the focus to the feasibility of the suggested time, suitable when coordinating schedules.

Would yesterday be suitable?

Formal alternative emphasizing convenience and appropriateness of the time.

Is yesterday an option?

Presents the suggested time as one of several possibilities, leaving room for other options.

What about the day before?

Refering to the day before.

What were you doing yesterday?

Shifts the focus to the other person's activities, perhaps as an opener to suggest an activity.

Have you considered yesterday?

Implies the suggestion of yesterday has been on the table and should now be reevaluated.

FAQs

How can I use "how about yesterday" in a sentence?

You can use "how about yesterday" to suggest an alternative date. For example, "I was busy today. How about yesterday?"

What's a more formal way to say "how about yesterday"?

A more formal alternative could be "Would yesterday be a suitable option?" This phrasing is appropriate for professional contexts.

What can I say instead of "how about yesterday" to suggest an earlier time?

You can consider alternatives like "What about the day before?" or "Could we move it to the previous day?"

Is it correct to say "how about on yesterday"?

No, the correct phrasing is "how about yesterday". The preposition "on" is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect in this context.