?`s and ANNEswers

I have a co-worker at an elementary school who often speaks on the intercom, she uses the phrases “on tomorrow,” on yesterday,” & “on today.” This is the first I have ever heard this phrase used but it just does not sound correct to me. I was looking for an expert opinion because if she is incorrectly using the words, I would like to bring it to her attention so the students in the school do not get in the habit of saying it. She is originally from North Carolina and now we are in Southern Virginia so it may just be regional.

There is no need to add “on” in front of tomorow, yesterday, or today. Even if it is a colloquialism in southern Virginia, it is not correct. I think the larger problem is how you will approach this co-worker and tell her she is wrong without alienating her. I might suggest you blame me or note that national English is larger than local English. So if she wants to run for office someday, she might want to be more national in her language. Even if she doesn’t seek public office, knowing correct grammar acknowledges her as a critical thinker.

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