Do You Put a Comma After Yesterday? Here Defined:

Author:

Waqas Ashraf

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b Do you put a comma after yesterday? Yes, you should put a comma after “yesterday” when it is used at the beginning of a sentence to separate the introductory adverbial phrase.

The placement of this comma is a simple yet important punctuation rule that can impact the clarity and flow of your writing.

Understanding when and how to use commas correctly can significantly enhance the overall quality of your written work, making your sentences more coherent and easier to read.

In this article, we will delve deeper into the specific rules surrounding the usage of commas after introductory adverbial phrases like “yesterday,” offering practical examples and insights to help you master this punctuation technique effortlessly.

Table of Contents

Comma After Yesterday:

No, you generally don’t put a comma after “yesterday” if it’s used at the beginning of a sentence and functions as an adverb telling when something happened.

For instance:

Yesterday, I went to the store.

Is It Correct to Start a Sentence with Yesterday?

Yes, starting a sentence with “yesterday” is perfectly correct! In fact, it’s a very common way to introduce a sentence that talks about something that happened in the past.

Here are some examples:

Yesterday, I went to the store.
Yesterday’s rain caused some flooding.

Did you hear about the accident yesterday?

How Do You Use Yesterday in Grammar?

“Yesterday” functions primarily as an adverb in grammar.

Here’s how to use it in that context:

Position: It typically comes at the beginning of a sentence to set the time frame:

Yesterday, I went for a walk.

Function: It modifies a verb by indicating when the action occurred.

In the example above, “yesterday” modifies “went” (past tense of “go”).

Is It Correct to Say Yesterday’s?

Yes, saying “yesterday’s” is absolutely correct! It’s the possessive form of “yesterday” used to indicate ownership or belonging related to the day before.

Here’s how it works:

“Yesterday” functions as a noun: In this case, it represents the day before.
Possessive form: We add an apostrophe and “s” (“yesterday’s”) to show something belongs to or is related to “yesterday.”

Is on Yesterday Proper Grammar?

Saying “on yesterday” is not considered proper grammar in formal contexts.

Here’s why:

Redundancy: “Yesterday” itself already implies the concept of “on the day before today.” So, adding “on” is redundant.
Treatment of “Yesterday”: Grammatically, “yesterday” functions as an adverb, similar to “today” and “tomorrow.” We don’t use prepositions like “on” before these words.

What Part of A Sentence Is Yesterday?

In most cases, “yesterday” functions as an adverb in a sentence.

An adverb describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb. Here, “yesterday” typically modifies a verb by indicating when something happened.

For example:

They arrived yesterday. (Here, “yesterday” modifies the verb “arrived” to tell us when they came.)

Can We Use Apostrophe with Yesterday?

Yes, you can use an apostrophe with “yesterday” but only when you’re making it possessive.

Here’s the breakdown:

“Yesterday” as an adverb (no apostrophe): This is the most common use. “Yesterday” functions like an adverb telling when something happened, and it doesn’t need an apostrophe.

Example: Yesterday, I went to the store.

“Yesterday’s” (with apostrophe): This is the possessive form. We add an apostrophe and “s” to indicate ownership or belonging related to the day before.

Example: Yesterday’s newspaper is already outdated. (The news belongs to yesterday)
Example: I forgot yesterday’s homework assignment. (The assignment belongs to yesterday)

What Is the Difference Between Yesterday’s and Yesterdays?

Feature	Yesterday’s	Yesterdays
Part of Speech	Adjective (possessive)	Noun (plural, not common)
Function	Shows ownership or belonging related to the day before	Refers to multiple past days in a general sense (not common usage)
Apostrophe	Yes (always)	No (never)
Examples	Yesterday’s newspaper	We reminisced about all our yesterdays. (Figurative, poetic)
Correctness	Grammatically correct	Uncommon and not widely used in standard English

How Do You Say Yesterday Formally?

There isn’t a single formal replacement for “yesterday” itself. “Yesterday” is already a perfectly acceptable word for formal contexts.

However, if you’re looking to add variety or emphasis in formal writing, here are a few options:

On the preceding day: This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the concept of “the day before.”
The prior day: Similar to “preceding day” but slightly less formal.

24 hours prior: A more technical way to indicate the day before.

Is Yesterday Always Capitalized?

No, “yesterday” is not always capitalized.

Here’s the breakdown:

Not capitalized: In most cases, “yesterday” functions as an adverb telling when something happened, and it starts a sentence. Here, it doesn’t require a capital letter.

Example: Yesterday, I went to the store.

Capitalized: There are a few situations where “yesterday” might be capitalized:

Part of a proper noun: If “yesterday” is part of a proper noun, like a title or event name, it should be capitalized.

Example: “Yesterday’s News” (a hypothetical newspaper)

Emphasis (less common): For emphasis, especially in the middle of a sentence, “yesterday” might be capitalized.

Example: I SAW you Yesterday, at the park! (Emphasizes “yesterday”)

When to Use a Comma After ‘Yesterday’

Use a comma after ‘yesterday’ when it is at the beginning of a sentence to separate the introductory element.
Example: “Yesterday, I went for a walk in the park.”

When ‘yesterday’ is used in the middle of a sentence, a comma is not necessary unless there is a need for clarification or emphasis.
Example: “I went for a walk in the park yesterday and enjoyed the beautiful weather.”
Avoid using a comma after ‘yesterday’ when it is at the end of a sentence unless it is followed by additional information that requires separation.

Example: “I went for a walk in the park yesterday, despite the rain.”

Conclusion and Final Thoughts!

Knowing whether to put a comma after “yesterday” boils down to understanding the context of the sentence.

While there are specific rules to follow in formal writing, the key is to ensure clarity and readability in your content.

By applying the guidelines discussed in this article, you can confidently decide whether a comma is needed after “yesterday” based on the structure and meaning of your sentence.

Remember, clarity is paramount in effective communication, so always prioritize that when making punctuation choices.