Cool MateAt the same time vs In the meantime vs Meanwhile
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
At the same time
In the meantime
Meanwhile
| At the same time | In the meantime | Meanwhile | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //æt ðə seɪm taɪm//🇺🇸 //æt ðə seɪm taɪm// | 🇬🇧 //ɪn ðə ˈmiːnˌtaɪm//🇺🇸 //ɪn ðə ˈmiːnˌtaɪm// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈmiːnwaɪl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈmiːnwaɪl/"]/ |
| Meaning | Occurring simultaneously or together. | During a period of time when something is happening. | At the same time as something else happens. |
| Example | They left the house at the same time. | I'll prepare dinner; in the meantime, could you set the table? | Leave the cake to cool completely. Meanwhile, make the topping. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | ||
| Collocations | do two things at the same time, speak at the same time, work at the same time, occur at the same time, feel at the same time | in the meantime, stay busy in the meantime, in the meantime activities | meanwhile, back at the ranch, meanwhile, in another part of town, meanwhile, across the street |
| Antonyms | - | - | afterwards, later |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'at the same time' with 'at the same moment'., Using it with only one subject., Placing it incorrectly in the sentence. | Using it inappropriately in formal writing without context., Confusing it with 'meanwhile', which has a similar but slightly different nuance., Using it at the beginning of a sentence without a clear time reference. | Omitting the comma before 'meanwhile' when used at the beginning of a sentence., 'Meanwhile' is sometimes misused in informal contexts where 'in the meantime' might be more appropriate. |
| Usage notes | Use when describing events happening together. Avoid in very formal contexts; more suitable for everyday conversations. | Used to refer to a period of time between two events. Common in both spoken and written English. Appropriate in casual conversations and formal contexts. | Use 'meanwhile' to connect two actions occurring at the same time, typically in writing or formal speech. Avoid using it in very casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: At the same time vs In the meantime vs Meanwhile
What's the difference between At the same time, In the meantime, and Meanwhile?
At the same time: Occurring simultaneously or together. In the meantime: During a period of time when something is happening. Meanwhile: At the same time as something else happens.
Can you show an example of each?
At the same time: They left the house at the same time. In the meantime: I'll prepare dinner; in the meantime, could you set the table? Meanwhile: Leave the cake to cool completely. Meanwhile, make the topping.
Can I use At the same time, In the meantime, and Meanwhile interchangeably?
Not always. At the same time, In the meantime, and Meanwhile are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.