meanwhile
meanwhile — adverb
1. used to describe an action or situation that happens during the time between two
used to describe an action or situation that happens during the time between two events, or that occurs in parallel with another event already being discussed
Amani finished her homework; meanwhile, her brother was playing video games in the living room.
semicolon structure showing simultaneous actions
The doctor will see you soon. Meanwhile, please fill out these forms at the front desk.
sentence-initial meanwhile for 'while waiting'
The team is still working on the new design. Meanwhile, the marketing department has already started preparing the campaign.
Joon spent a year studying in France. Meanwhile, his sister was finishing medical school back in Seoul.
Construction on the new bridge continues. Meanwhile, drivers must use the old detour road through the valley.
- meantime
interchangeable in many contexts, especially in 'in the meantime'
- at the same time
more literal and less formal; works in everyday speech
- simultaneously
more formal and precise; focuses on exact concurrent timing
文法句型
Meanwhile, [clause]
[Clause]; meanwhile, [clause]
用法筆記
Unlike 'while', which connects two actions within a single sentence, 'meanwhile' often starts a new sentence or follows a semicolon, creating a stronger separation between the two situations being compared.
常見錯誤
meanwhile — noun
1. the period of time that passes between one event and another, almost always used
the period of time that passes between one event and another, almost always used in the fixed phrase 'in the meanwhile'
In the meanwhile, the children played games in the garden while their parents set up the party indoors.
fixed phrase: in the meanwhile
We need a temporary place to stay in the meanwhile, until our new apartment is ready for move-in.
in the meanwhile + until clause showing interim
The electricity will not be back until tomorrow morning. In the meanwhile, these candles should give us enough light.
Ayesha agreed to manage the shop in the meanwhile, while the owner recovered from surgery.
The school building is being repaired, so classes are held in a nearby community centre in the meanwhile.
文法句型
in the meanwhile
for the meanwhile
用法筆記
The noun sense of 'meanwhile' is rarely used on its own. It appears almost exclusively in the fixed phrase 'in the meanwhile', which functions like the adverb 'meanwhile' or 'meantime'. 'For the meanwhile' is also possible but less common.