meanwhile

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "meanwhile" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is typically used in the form of an adverb to mean "during the intervening time" or "at the same time". Example sentence: I went to the store, meanwhile my brother cooked dinner.

✓ 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

When two separate actions are happening at the same time, "meanwhile" can make it clear for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "meanwhile" to connect events that have no temporal or causal relationship; ensure a logical connection between the clauses it links.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "meanwhile" is that of an adverb, connecting two related events happening simultaneously. Ludwig AI validates this usage, confirming it fits seamlessly in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Lifestyle

7%

Sport

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Meanwhile" functions as a versatile adverb, efficiently connecting simultaneous events or actions. Ludwig AI confirms it's a correct and commonly used word. Appearing most frequently in news and media contexts, "meanwhile" provides a seamless transition between related occurrences, enhancing narrative flow. For alternatives, consider "in the meantime" or "at the same time", while avoiding misuse by ensuring a clear relationship between linked events. With a strong expert rating and wide-ranging application, "meanwhile" stands as a reliable tool for clear and coherent writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In the meantime

A direct synonym, interchangeable in most contexts, but might suggest a slightly longer duration.

In the interim

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the period between two events.

At the same time

Highlights the temporal coincidence, less formal than "meanwhile".

Simultaneously

Focuses on the exact concurrence of events, rather than a period of time.

Concurrently

More formal, emphasizing the simultaneous occurrence of events.

Whilst

British English equivalent, emphasizing duration and simultaneity.

During this period

Highlights the temporal aspect, framing the event within a specific duration.

For now

Suggests a temporary arrangement or situation, less emphasis on simultaneity.

Until then

Emphasizes a future event and the period leading up to it.

As a temporary measure

Highlights a stop-gap solution that is used while waiting for a more permanent solution.

FAQs

How can I use "meanwhile" in a sentence?

Use "meanwhile" to indicate something happening at the same time as another event, like: "I went to the store; "meanwhile", my brother cooked dinner."

What's a simple substitute for "meanwhile"?

A simpler alternative to "meanwhile" is "at the same time", which conveys the same meaning in most contexts.

How does "meanwhile" differ from "in the meantime"?

"Meanwhile" and "in the meantime" are largely interchangeable, but "in the meantime" might suggest a slightly longer duration or a period of inactivity before something else happens.

Is it always necessary to use a comma with "meanwhile"?

Yes, when used as an adverbial phrase connecting two independent clauses, "meanwhile" should be preceded by a semicolon or a comma before a coordinating conjunction.