meanwhilst

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "meanwhilst" is not commonly used in modern written English and may be considered archaic or incorrect.
It can be used to indicate that something is happening at the same time as something else, but it is more appropriate to use "meanwhile" in contemporary writing. Example: "The meeting was running late; meanwhile, the team prepared for the presentation."

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

While "meanwhilst" is technically correct, consider using the more common and contemporary "meanwhile" to avoid sounding archaic or overly formal.

Common error

Avoid consistently using "meanwhilst" when "meanwhile" fits just as well. Vary your vocabulary to maintain a modern and engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "meanwhilst" is as an adverb. It serves to connect two events or actions happening concurrently, adding temporal context to a sentence. This is evident in the Ludwig examples where it introduces a simultaneous action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Lifestyle

18%

Sport

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis reveals that "meanwhilst" functions as an adverb indicating simultaneity, although it is less common than its counterpart, “meanwhile”. Ludwig AI indicates that it is acceptable but older. While grammatically sound, its usage may strike some as archaic in contemporary writing. Its presence in News & Media sources, as shown in the Ludwig examples, demonstrates its real-world application, although its decreasing frequency suggests a preference for the more modern "meanwhile". Consider using alternatives like “in the meantime” or “at the same time” to maintain a modern writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In the meantime

Replaces "meanwhilst" with a slightly more contemporary expression with similar meaning.

At the same time

Offers a more straightforward and common alternative to indicate simultaneity.

Simultaneously

A more formal synonym, suitable for academic or technical contexts.

Concurrently

Similar to "simultaneously" but often used in technical or computing contexts.

During that period

Focuses on the temporal aspect, indicating something happening within a specific timeframe.

Whilst

A more concise substitute, though its usage can be slightly ambiguous depending on context.

As this occurs

Highlights the concurrent nature of events, emphasizing the ongoing process.

In parallel

Emphasizes that actions are happening independently but at the same time.

For the duration

Highlights activities happening in the duration of something, which is similar with QUERY.

Until then

Implies a waiting period before something else happens, with the first action happening until that moment.

FAQs

What is the difference between "meanwhile" and "meanwhilst"?

"Meanwhile" and "meanwhilst" have the same meaning, indicating events happening at the same time. However, "meanwhile" is the more common and contemporary choice, while "meanwhilst" is considered an older, less frequently used variant.

Is it incorrect to use "meanwhilst" in writing?

While not strictly incorrect, using "meanwhilst" might sound archaic or overly formal to modern readers. It's generally better to opt for the more common and accepted form, "meanwhile".

Are there situations where "meanwhilst" is more appropriate than "meanwhile"?

There are very few situations where "meanwhilst" would be explicitly preferable. It might be used intentionally to create a sense of old-fashioned charm or in very formal contexts, but "meanwhile" is typically the better choice.

What are some alternatives to "meanwhilst" that I can use in my writing?

Consider using alternatives such as "at the same time", "in the meantime", or "simultaneously" to convey the same meaning as "meanwhilst" in a more contemporary style.