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 Sun Oct 12, 2003 17:49 pm Yesterday evening or last night |
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Hi Adreana
There is a difference and it's along the lines you suggest - that 'last night' is later than 'yesterday evening.' The second one is used for the earlier part of what remains after let's say working time and the first one is used for late towards the end of the day and can also extend into the time when you're asleep. Let me give you some examples:
After I'd finished work yesterday evening, I called in at the supermarket to buy some wine before driving home.
We stayed home last night and watched televsion until bed time.
Did you hear that terrible thunderstorm last night? It woke me up.
In a way you can relate 'night' 'and evening' to what you say when meeting someone after work: you say 'good evening' when you greet someone at the beginning of a social occasion and then when you leave you would say 'good night'. Hope this helps a little.
Alan
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Alan
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| Sun Oct 12, 2003 18:04 pm Last night vs. yesterday evening |
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Alan, Many thanks for your speedy reply - hey, today is Sunday and it's evening  .
Yes, I think I now understand the difference between 'last night' and 'yesterday evening' thanks to your examples. Very helpful, I might have more questions though... |
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Andreana
I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 01 Oct 2003
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Location: Argentina
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| Sun Jan 07, 2007 22:59 pm Yesterday evening vs. last night |
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Mr Alan,
May you, please, explain wrinting sentences or a sentence, the difference among the four options of this question?
Thank you.  |
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alinembmatos
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Joined: 07 Jan 2007
Posts: 1
Location: Brazil
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| Fri Feb 29, 2008 10:18 am Yesterday evening or last night |
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| Alan wrote: | | In a way you can relate 'night' 'and evening' to what you say when meeting someone after work: you say 'good evening' when you greet someone at the beginning of a social occasion and then when you leave you would say 'good night'. |
That is true, but I don't think it applies to the terms "yesterday evening" and last night" in popular English usage. At least with American English, the two are interchangeable. "I went dancing yesterday evening" and "I went dancing last night" are both used, without no pretense of time attached. However, the latter is more commonly used when referring to nighttime hours. "Yesterday evening" seems to be used by older people in America, whereas younger people use "last night" exclusively.
Also, "last evening" (and even "last afternoon") is used by some people, but it is less-common than the two aforementioned terms. Stick with "last night" for usage in all applicable situations and you'll be fine. |
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pezastic
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| Fri Feb 29, 2008 11:03 am Yesterday evening vs. last night |
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Hi Prezastic,
Welcome to our forum and thank you for your contributions. Can you please tell me whether double negative constructions such as "without no pretense" is just a typo or common popular usage in American English?
Regards,
Torsten
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Torsten
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