meantime

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "meantime" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when referring to a time period of unspecified duration, or when referencing two separate activities that are occurring simultaneously. For example: "I will finish my essay in the meantime, while my roommate is cooking dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And in the meantime the authorities should grant him temporary release so that he can receive the medical treatment that he so urgently needs".

The Guardian

In the meantime, barring a breakthrough in the coming days, "the whole operation may be shutdown regardless" as the May 31 deadline looms closer.

The Guardian

In the meantime, the company's stock – publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange since it took a back-door approach to an initial public offering in January, acquiring an already-public mining company in what is known as a reverse takeover – offers US gold bugs with a taste for risk and adventure another way to join the party.

The Guardian - Money

In the meantime though, to what extent is AVG's business model still built on mainly Windows antivirus and security, and how will it manage the transition to a post-PC world?

The Guardian - Tech

Meantime, Todd Baker is back to ask, mischievously, "Do rugby league players get nervous playing in front of a big crowd 3 times a year?" Now NSW have a scrum field 10m out.

The Guardian - Sport

We hope to grow this more over the coming months; in the meantime, a lot of culture is global and we have fantastic arts coverage p1rategas says: We are owned by the Scott Trust, with no proprietor or shareholders, which means that Guardian journalists are free to say anything.

The Guardian

In the meantime, a law ostensibly designed to reduce the dominance of big corporations will likely result in their becoming even stronger.

The Guardian - Books

In the meantime, here's more analyst comment, this time from Investec's Brian Barry: The auction will be a litmus test as to demand for their paper given the impending election... if there's a marked increase (in yields) then we'll know investors are getting a bit more worried.

The Guardian - Business

In the meantime let them enjoy being part of something larger than themselves.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the meantime, click through for a map of the International Nation of Boo:.

The Guardian - Tech

In the meantime, Bari have begun an unlikely push for promotion to the top-flight, winning seven of its last eight games.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "meantime", ensure that the context clearly establishes both the starting and ending points of the interval to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "meantime" when describing actions that occur continuously without a defined end. "Meantime" implies a temporary state between two specific events, not an ongoing process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meantime" primarily functions as an adverbial, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the period between two events. It specifies when an action takes place in relation to another, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

20%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "meantime" functions as an adverbial phrase used to specify an interval between two events. It is considered grammatically correct and enjoys very common usage across various contexts, primarily in news, sports, and opinion pieces. According to Ludwig, "meantime" offers a clear way to structure events chronologically. It's crucial to avoid using "meantime" for continuous actions without a defined endpoint. For alternative expressions, consider "meanwhile" or "in the interim" to provide nuanced temporal context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meanwhile

Direct synonym, indicating simultaneous actions or events.

in the interim

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the period.

in the interval

Similar to 'in the interim', focusing on a gap between events.

for the time being

Indicates a temporary solution or state.

in the intervening period

Highlights the period between two specific points in time.

pending that

Suggests something is waiting to happen.

until then

Refers to a future time after a current situation.

during that period

More general reference to a time span.

whilst awaiting

Emphasizes the act of waiting for something else.

in the lull

Implies a period of calm or inactivity.

FAQs

How can I use "meantime" in a sentence?

You can use "meantime" to indicate something that happens during an interval between two events. For example, "I'll start the project tomorrow, but in the "meantime", let's gather more information."

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

"Meantime" and "meanwhile" are often interchangeable, both indicating an interval between events. However, "meantime" can sometimes emphasize the temporary nature of the situation more strongly.

What are some alternatives to using "in the meantime"?

Alternatives include "in the interim", "meanwhile", or "for the time being". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it correct to say "in a meantime" instead of "in the meantime"?

No, the correct phrase is "in the meantime". Using "in a meantime" is grammatically incorrect and not idiomatic in English.