yesterday there was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "yesterday there was" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an event or situation that occurred the day before the current day. Example: "Yesterday there was a significant storm that caused power outages in several neighborhoods."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Across the country yesterday there was an array of anthrax findings and scares.

The New York Times

Yesterday there was new hope.

The New York Times

Yesterday there was only one.

The New York Times

Just yesterday, there was bad news from two states.

The New York Times

Yesterday there was a prelude to this misery.

The Economist

"Even yesterday there was a truck here".

The New York Times

Yesterday, there was more of the same.

The Guardian - Sport

Yesterday, there was too much shock.

The New York Times - Sports

Yesterday there was only one truth.

The New York Times - Sports

As of yesterday, there was no trade imminent.

The New York Times - Sports

And yesterday there was more of the same.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "yesterday there was", ensure the context clearly indicates what "yesterday" refers to, especially if the writing spans multiple days. This avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "yesterday there was" if the reader might not know which day you're referencing. If the text spans multiple days, specify the date or use a more precise temporal marker to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "yesterday there was" is to introduce a statement about an event or condition that occurred on the day preceding the present. It serves as a temporal marker followed by an existential clause. Ludwig confirms that this is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sports

15%

General

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "yesterday there was" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to introduce information about the previous day. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. It's most prevalent in news and media, as well as sports reporting, serving to provide context or recount past events. When using this phrase, clarity is key; ensure your audience understands the temporal reference, especially in texts spanning multiple days. While generally neutral in tone, "yesterday there was" lends itself well to clear, informative communication across a variety of contexts. Alternatives like "yesterday saw" offer slight variations in style without altering the core meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yesterday saw

Condenses the phrase while maintaining the temporal reference.

the previous day featured

Changes the structure to emphasize the day itself, rather than a specific event.

the day before held

Replaces "yesterday" with a more descriptive temporal phrase.

on the prior day

Offers a slightly more formal and distanced way of referring to yesterday.

events of yesterday included

Focuses on a summary of events rather than a singular occurrence.

the day before yesterday held

Highlights the holding of something on the day before the current day

in the preceding day, we observed

Introduces a more formal tone and emphasizes observation.

prior to today, there existed

Shifts the focus to a state that existed before the present.

a day ago, we found

Provides a more descriptive expression of the previous day.

it happened yesterday that

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the occurrence as a past event.

FAQs

How can I use "yesterday there was" in a sentence?

You can use "yesterday there was" to introduce a statement about something that occurred the day before the current day, such as "Yesterday there was a significant breakthrough in the negotiations."

What can I say instead of "yesterday there was"?

You can use alternatives like "yesterday saw", "on the previous day", or "the day before held" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "yesterday there was" or "there was yesterday"?

"Yesterday there was" is generally preferred for clarity and flow, especially at the beginning of a sentence. "There was yesterday" is grammatically correct but less common and can sound awkward.

What's the difference between "yesterday there was" and "today there is"?

"Yesterday there was" refers to a past event or state, while "today there is" refers to a present situation. For example, "Yesterday there was rain, but today there is sunshine."