but meanwhile

USAGE SUMMARY

"but meanwhile" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to transition from one idea to another idea or to indicate that something else is happening or has happened in the meantime. For example: She was supposed to take the trash out, but meanwhile their friends had already arrived.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But meanwhile, they are adjusting.

The New York Times

But meanwhile, what's that sound?

The Guardian - Music

"But meanwhile out there was Prince.

The Guardian - Music

But meanwhile, the Taliban was quietly regrouping.

The New York Times

But meanwhile, the harassment worsened in China.

The New York Times

But meanwhile the raspberries will be producing.

The New York Times

But meanwhile, the killers knock down 100.

The New York Times

But, meanwhile, China is trying to unsettle American alliances.

The Economist

But meanwhile, they would have to do without Carter.

The New York Times - Sports

But meanwhile, what books do you hide from your kids?

The New York Times

But meanwhile the opera world is awaiting her future choices.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but meanwhile" to smoothly transition between contrasting events or states that occur concurrently. It helps to maintain a logical flow by indicating that while one thing is happening, another is also taking place.

Common error

Avoid using "but meanwhile" repeatedly within a short paragraph. This can make your writing sound repetitive and less sophisticated. Instead, vary your transitional phrases or restructure your sentences to create a smoother flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but meanwhile" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it connects two clauses, indicating a contrast or shift in focus while maintaining a sense of simultaneity. It often introduces a secondary action or situation that occurs concurrently with the primary one.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

16%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but meanwhile" is a versatile conjunctive adverbial phrase that smoothly connects contrasting, simultaneous events. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage in written English. As highlighted by the examples, the phrase is predominantly found in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, varying your transitional phrases can improve writing style. Alternatives such as "however in the interim" or "yet in the meantime" offer similar meanings with slight shifts in emphasis. Using "but meanwhile" effectively requires awareness of its function in creating logical connections while avoiding overuse for a polished final product.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet in the meantime

Substitutes "but" with "yet" and "meanwhile" with "in the meantime" slightly altering the emphasis.

however in the interim

Replaces "meanwhile" with "in the interim" adding a more formal tone.

nonetheless during this time

Replaces "but" with "nonetheless" giving it a slightly formal and contrasting tone and "meanwhile" with "during this time".

but in the intervening period

Offers a more extended and formal alternative to "meanwhile".

on the other hand in the interim

Highlights the contrast aspect more strongly while retaining the temporal component.

at the same time however

Highlights simultaneity with a touch of contrast using "however".

while at the same time

Shifts the focus to simultaneity, emphasizing the co-occurrence of events.

by contrast during this period

Emphasizes the contrast between the two situations while specifying the time frame.

in the interim though

Inverts the structure to place emphasis on the temporal aspect.

all the same in the intervening time

A less common but still valid way to express contrast and temporal overlap.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "but meanwhile" in a sentence?

"But meanwhile" is used to introduce a contrasting event or situation that occurs concurrently with another. For example, "She was preparing dinner, "but meanwhile", her children were doing their homework".

What are some alternatives to "but meanwhile"?

You can use alternatives such as "however in the interim", "yet in the meantime", or "while at the same time" to add variety to your writing. See other alternatives "here".

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "but meanwhile"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "But" functions as a conjunction, and "meanwhile" acts as an adverbial phrase. Starting a sentence with "but meanwhile" is acceptable to introduce a contrast or a simultaneous event.

What's the difference between "but meanwhile" and "meanwhile"?

"Meanwhile" simply indicates that something else is happening at the same time. "But meanwhile" introduces a contrast in addition to the simultaneity. The "but" highlights a difference or unexpected turn of events, making the connection stronger.