sometime yesterday

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sometime yesterday" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an unspecified time during the previous day. Example: "I received a message from her sometime yesterday, but I didn't have a chance to respond."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Sometime yesterday, the Chippewa Harbor Pack left the Moskey Basin kill site, headed south to Lake Mason, crossed Chippewa Harbor and continued on to Lake Whittlesey.

The New York Times

Sometime yesterday the rest of the site went blank, too.

TechCrunch

Updated sometime yesterday, Apple has given it's status report regarding the epic failure of MobileMe.

TechCrunch

Halo 3 was uploaded onto the Web sometime yesterday and it's making the rounds like wildfire.

TechCrunch

Sometime yesterday he received a Norton Program Alert saying, "PIFTS is attempting to access the Internet".

TechCrunch

It happened sometime yesterday, some five years after its first release, in 2004.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Will premiere sometime this summer.

The New York Times

When? "Sometime next year".

The New York Times

Another bargaining session is expected sometime this summer.

The New York Times - Sports

He expects to move in sometime next month.

The New York Times

I'd like to move sometime next year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sometime yesterday", ensure it's clear from the context what event you're referring to. Providing additional details can enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "sometime yesterday" when a specific time is known or can be easily provided. Lack of precision can confuse your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sometime yesterday" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action occurred. Ludwig AI examples show it setting a general timeframe for events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sometime yesterday" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate an action or event that occurred at an unspecified time on the previous day. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides numerous examples from reliable sources, primarily in the News & Media sector. While useful for general temporal references, using more precise timing is advisable when the information is known, enhancing clarity and avoiding potential vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Yesterday at some point

This alternative emphasizes the day on which the event took place but lacks specificity regarding time.

During yesterday

This alternative provides a broader timeframe, suggesting the event happened at any moment in the course of the previous day.

At an unspecified time yesterday

This version highlights the lack of a precise time reference.

At some moment yesterday

Similar to "at some point", but slightly more emphatic.

Yesterday in the course of the day

This option is more descriptive, stressing the full duration of the day.

At a certain time yesterday

This indicates there was a specific time, but it's not being disclosed.

On the previous day at some stage

This alternative is more formal and less common.

Yesterday, at an indeterminate hour

Highlights the uncertainty about the exact hour.

Yestereve

A slightly archaic term for yesterday evening.

The day before today, at one point

A more verbose and less direct way of saying "sometime yesterday".

FAQs

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

Use "sometime yesterday" to refer to an unspecified time during the previous day. For example, "I saw him "sometime yesterday" near the park".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "sometime yesterday"?

Alternatives include "at some point yesterday", "during yesterday", or "at an unspecified time yesterday". Choose the one that best fits your context and desired level of precision.

Is it better to use a specific time instead of "sometime yesterday"?

If you know the specific time, it's generally better to use it for clarity. Use "sometime yesterday" when the exact time is unknown or not important.

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

"Yesterday" refers to the entire day, while "sometime yesterday" indicates an unspecified moment within that day. "I worked all day yesterday", versus "I called him "sometime yesterday"".