Are there differences in meaning between these expressions ?

Hi Anne, 

I sought a little extra help for this one and this is what I found -

"In French, these expressions are indeed similar, but there are some nuances in their usage and register.

For "the day after" / "the next day" / "the following day":

1. "Le lendemain" - This is the most common and neutral expression, used in both formal and informal contexts.

2. "Le jour d'après" - This is less common than "le lendemain" and slightly more informal. It's more likely to be used in spoken French.

3. "Le jour suivant" - This is a more formal expression, often used in writing or in more official contexts.

For "the day before" / "the previous day":

1. "La veille" - This is the most common and neutral expression, used in both formal and informal contexts.

2. "Le jour d'avant" - This is less common and more informal than "la veille". It's more likely to be used in spoken French.

3. "Le jour précédent" - This is a more formal expression, often used in writing or more official contexts.

In terms of meaning, these expressions are essentially equivalent.

The main differences lie in their register and frequency of use: -

"Le lendemain" and "la veille" are the most commonly used and neutral options; "Le jour d'après" and "le jour d'avant" are slightly more informal and more typical in spoken language; "Le jour suivant" and "le jour précédent" are more formal and more likely to appear in written or official contexts.

It's worth noting that in many contexts, these expressions can be used interchangeably without significantly altering the sentence's meaning.

The choice often depends on personal preference, the level of formality required, and the specific context of the communication."

 

As for après demain and avant-hier ( no article) it is indeed used in conversation.

Hope this helps!