What Does "in the meantime" Mean?
- Grammatical function: This expression serves as a temporal adverbial phrase. It expresses a relationship of simultaneity, specifically referring to the period of time between two events or while waiting for something to happen.
- Typical sentence position: It is most frequently found in the initial position to set the temporal context for the clause, but it can also appear in the medial or final positions.
- Register: This phrase is neutral, making it equally appropriate for formal journalism, academic writing, and casual conversation.
How to Use It
- Syntactic patterns: When used at the start of a sentence, it is typically followed by a comma and a full independent clause. It can also follow a coordinating conjunction (e.g., "And in the meantime...").
- Punctuation rules: In the initial position, a comma is standard to separate the introductory phrase from the main subject. If used mid-sentence, it may be set off by commas or parentheses for emphasis.
- Grammatical flexibility: It is highly mobile. While it cannot be negated directly (e.g., "not in the meantime"), it can be used in various tenses to describe ongoing actions during a waiting period.
- What sounds unnatural: Using it to describe a permanent state rather than a temporary interval sounds incorrect. It requires a defined "end point" (the event being waited for) to make logical sense.
Real-World Examples
These examples are sourced from in the meantime on Ludwig.guru.
"In the meantime, she waits." — nytimes.com
"In the meantime, Kenya burns." — economist.com
"In the meantime, panic prevailed." — nytimes.com
"In the meantime, soup's on." — nytimes.com
"In the meantime, he has discovered America." — newyorker.com
Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/in+the+meantime
Similar Phrases and Alternatives
| Phrase |
Context |
| meanwhile |
A direct synonym; more concise and often used to switch between two different scenes or locations. |
| in the interim |
More formal; frequently used in business or legal contexts to describe the time between two fixed points. |
| for the time being |
Focuses on a temporary situation that will change later, rather than the gap between two events. |
| simultaneously |
Emphasizes that two actions are happening at the exact same moment; more clinical or technical. |
| concurrently |
Formal; often used in legal or administrative contexts to describe overlapping timeframes. |
Common Mistakes
- Wrong preposition: Learners often use the wrong preposition, such as 'at the meantime', which is grammatically incorrect in English.
- Confusion with 'meanwhile': Learners often confuse it with 'meanwhile', incorrectly using 'in the meanwhile'. While 'meanwhile' is a standard adverb, 'in the meanwhile' is much less common and often considered less idiomatic than 'in the meantime'.
- Punctuation errors: Forgetting the comma after the phrase when it starts a sentence can lead to run-on thoughts, though it is not always a strict grammatical error in shorter sentences.
Quick-Reference Summary
| Expression |
Function |
Register |
Typical Position |
| in the meantime |
Temporal interval / Simultaneity |
Neutral |
Initial, Medial, or Final |
FAQs
Where in a sentence can in the meantime appear?
The expression is most commonly used in the sentence-initial position followed by a comma to introduce a new action. However, it can also be placed mid-clause or at the end of a sentence to provide temporal context to the preceding verb.
What is the difference between in the meantime and meanwhile?
While both indicate simultaneity, meanwhile is a single-word adverb that often signals a shift in focus to a different person or place. In the meantime specifically emphasizes the duration of time spent waiting for a future event to occur.
Is it correct to say at the meantime or in the meanwhile?
No, these are common errors; learners often confuse the expression with meanwhile or use the wrong preposition like at the meantime. You should always use in the meantime as the standard idiomatic phrase for this context.