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  3. Engineering: Industrial

all of them needed yesterday

Chinese translation: 昨天需要的; 很急

20:13 Aug 12, 2009
English to Chinese translations [PRO]
Tech/Engineering - Engineering: Industrial
English term or phrase: all of them needed yesterday
The topic is related to die cast industry.

In one of the paragraphs:

HARDWARE: Low-cost fasteners, aesthetic applications, and complex special orders, all of them needed yesterday, made to specifications, and manufactured cost effectively. We have the tools and innovative engineers capable of filling your order.

What does "all of them needed yesterday" mean?

Thanks so much for any clue!!
Peggy Huang
United States
Local time: 20:37
Chinese translation:昨天需要的; 很急
Explanation:
There are two possible answers. First, the meaning may literally be that the products were needed yesterday.

However, judging from the tone, I think the idiomatic meaning is intended. In English, when somebody says, "I need this yesterday", it means "I need this as quickly as possible." It is not formal English and should not be included in a formal letter, contract or so on. Note: If a person says, "I needed this yesterday", the past tense indicate the meaning is literal, that is, the object was needed yesterday. On the other hand, in "I need this yesterday", the meaning is idiomatic, and "yesterday" means urgently.

Selected response from:

Michael Perkins
Local time: 20:37
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +1昨天需要的; 很急
Michael Perkins


  

Answers


8 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +1
昨天需要的; 很急


Explanation:
There are two possible answers. First, the meaning may literally be that the products were needed yesterday.

However, judging from the tone, I think the idiomatic meaning is intended. In English, when somebody says, "I need this yesterday", it means "I need this as quickly as possible." It is not formal English and should not be included in a formal letter, contract or so on. Note: If a person says, "I needed this yesterday", the past tense indicate the meaning is literal, that is, the object was needed yesterday. On the other hand, in "I need this yesterday", the meaning is idiomatic, and "yesterday" means urgently.



Example sentence(s):
  • Mrs. Jones, I need this letter yesterday. Can you type it up quickly?
Michael Perkins
Local time: 20:37
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks so much, Esempi!! That's very helpful:)


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Guei Lin
12 hrs
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