Meanwhile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Meanwhile" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is happening at the same time as something else, often to provide a contrast or additional information. Example: "The meeting was running late; meanwhile, the team was preparing for the presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Meanwhile, make the sauce.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Meanwhile, Karimov has sought to keep Russia at arm's length.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, here in the west, unchallenged by international courts, Norway, Iceland and Greenland continue whaling.

The Guardian - Opinion

YouTube, meanwhile, thinks that is only right to count channel video views for videos that are still actually present on the channels - which means that whenever YouTube got round to reviewing the music majors' channels on its site, a massive cut was always going to be in order.

The Guardian - Tech

Meanwhile Reg Wilson, who had committed a vile, sadistic murder and been diagnosed as a psychopath, said he believed hope was only for the weak.

The Guardian

Meanwhile Mrs Prada – the living, breathing personification of the word zeitgeist – sent out invitations to view her new collections (notice the plural).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Turkish government, meanwhile, has enraged Greeks by pledging to step up exports to Russia to fill the gap.

The Guardian - Opinion

Meanwhile, toast the muffin halves (it definitely helps to put your breakfasting companion to work here – that way they can assemble the rest of the dish while you stand guard whisking the hollandaise) and poach the eggs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Meanwhile, Southampton has risen to the top of the media and film studies table, after more students said that they were happy with the assessment and feedback they received during their course.

The Guardian

Few midfielders, meanwhile, can pick out the open man in the box quite as consistently as Goldenballs.

The Guardian - Sport

Meanwhile, Ofgem said there should be further opportunities by the big six suppliers and others to reduce their costs from 2015 due to new price controls covering network charges.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Meanwhile" to connect two events happening at the same time, especially when there's a contrast or interplay between them. This adds depth and context to your narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "Meanwhile" solely to indicate the passage of time without establishing a clear connection or contrast between concurrent events. This can weaken the impact of the phrase and make your writing less engaging.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Meanwhile" is to act as an adverbial connector. It serves to link two clauses or sentences, indicating that the events described are happening concurrently. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a versatile phrase used to create connections between events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Lifestyle

10%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Meanwhile" is a very common adverbial connector used to indicate that two events are happening simultaneously. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct. Its use is grammatically correct, particularly in News & Media, and it effectively links actions, often implying a contrast or interplay. When writing, use "Meanwhile" to enhance clarity by creating a dynamic narrative. Keep in mind you can replace the phrase with alternative terms like "in the meantime" or "at the same time".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In the meantime

Almost interchangeable with "Meanwhile", but slightly more focused on the temporal aspect.

Meantime

A shorter, slightly less formal version of "In the meantime" and "Meanwhile".

Whilst

British English equivalent, often used interchangeably with "Meanwhile" but can also introduce a subordinate clause.

In the interim

Suggests a temporary period between events, similar to "Meanwhile" but emphasizes the time aspect.

At the same time

Indicates simultaneity more directly than "Meanwhile", lacking the subtle implication of contrasting events.

During this period

Highlights the duration of the overlapping actions, offering a more descriptive alternative.

Simultaneously

A more formal adverb directly denoting actions happening at the same time.

For the time being

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the situation in the intervening period.

Concurrently

Similar to "Simultaneously" but often used in more technical or formal contexts.

In parallel

Suggests actions happening independently but with a related purpose or outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "Meanwhile" in a sentence to show simultaneous actions?

"Meanwhile" connects events happening at the same time. For example, "John was cooking dinner; meanwhile, Mary was setting the table."

What are some alternatives to using "Meanwhile" in my writing?

Alternatives include "in the meantime", "at the same time", or "simultaneously". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "Meanwhile" and "In the meantime"?

"Meanwhile" and "in the meantime" are often interchangeable, but "meanwhile" can sometimes imply a stronger contrast between the events being described.

Can I use "Meanwhile" at the beginning of a paragraph?

Yes, starting a paragraph with "Meanwhile" is perfectly acceptable, especially when you are continuing a narrative that involves simultaneous events. It helps to maintain a clear timeline.