grammaticality - I need yesterday?


Is it correct to say:



I need those reports, and I need them yesterday.



Shouldn't it be:



I needed those reports yesterday.



Or is this aberrant usage style simply a colloquialism?



Answer



This usage of yesterday is idiomatic, it's basically a synonym for "as soon as possible".




  • I need those reports, and I need them yesterday. ≈ I need them ASAP.

  • I needed those reports yesterday. ≈ There was a situation yesterday in which I actually needed them.



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