this yesterday

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'this yesterday' is not a correct or usable phrase in written English.
You cannot use it in written English at all. For example: I had an appointment this yesterday but I forgot all about it.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

We needed this yesterday.

The New York Times

(Matt O'Brien highlighted this yesterday).

The Economist

There was no mention of this yesterday.

Independent

We saw this yesterday.

The Guardian - Opinion

He denied this yesterday, however.

The New York Times - Sports

I mentioned this yesterday through my counsel.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

This winter, this is nothing.

The New Yorker

This summer, the Wisconsin A.F.L.-C.I.O A.F.L.-C.I.O

The New Yorker

This fiscal year, Texas received $2.03 billion.

The New York Times

No one doubted this a month ago.

The New Yorker

Players still do this today.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "this yesterday" in formal or academic writing. Instead, use "yesterday" or more specific time references to maintain clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Do not combine "this" with "yesterday" as it creates a grammatically incorrect phrase. "This" typically refers to the current day, while "yesterday" refers to the previous day. Using them together results in a nonsensical time reference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this yesterday" functions as an incorrect time reference. It attempts to specify a particular instance related to the day before the present, but it fails to adhere to standard grammatical rules. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered incorrect in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this yesterday" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. While it appears in some sources, including news and media, it is generally considered non-standard. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase combines elements that do not align grammatically, leading to confusion. It's best to use "yesterday" alone or specify the time of day for clarity. Although examples exist, using grammatically correct alternatives like "yesterday" or specific time references will significantly improve the clarity and professionalism of your writing. While Ludwig presents various examples where the phrase appears, adhering to grammatical standards is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Yesterday

Removes "this", focusing solely on the previous day.

Before today

Specifically references a time before the current day.

As of yesterday

Indicates a condition or status at the end of the previous day.

Earlier today

Refers to something that happened within the current day.

Just now

Indicates something that occurred very recently.

Recently

Indicates something happening in the near past, without specifying "yesterday".

The other day

Refers to a day in the recent past, without specifying it was "yesterday".

In the past few days

Expands the timeframe to include multiple days before the present.

Last week

Shifts the timeframe to the previous week.

Previously

Refers to something that happened at an earlier or previous time.

FAQs

Is the phrase "this yesterday" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "this yesterday" is grammatically incorrect. It's best to use "yesterday" alone or rephrase the sentence for clarity.

What is a more appropriate way to refer to something that happened yesterday?

You can simply use the word "yesterday" or specify the time of the event /s/yesterday+afternoon, /s/yesterday+morning, etc.

Are there contexts where "this yesterday" might be acceptable?

While occasionally found in informal speech, "this yesterday" is generally considered incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. Strive for clarity and precision by using phrases like "yesterday" or /s/the+day+before.

What are some common mistakes people make when referring to time?

Common mistakes include using redundant phrases like "this yesterday", mixing up "today" and "yesterday", and using ambiguous references that lack specific dates or times. Always ensure your time references are clear and grammatically correct for better communication.