Cool MateAt the same time vs Meantime
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
At the same time
Top 2,000 (common)
Meantime
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
| At the same time | Meantime | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //æt ðə seɪm taɪm//🇺🇸 //æt ðə seɪm taɪm// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈmiːntaɪm/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈmiːntaɪm/"]/ |
| Meaning | Occurring simultaneously or together. | The time in between two events. |
| Example | They left the house at the same time. | I'm changing my email address but for the meantime you can use the old one. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| 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, in the meantime period, use the meantime |
| Antonyms | - | future, later, afterward |
| 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 'meanwhile' incorrectly instead of 'meantime'., 'Meantime' is often used with 'in the meantime', which can confuse learners. |
| Usage notes | Use when describing events happening together. Avoid in very formal contexts; more suitable for everyday conversations. | Use 'meantime' to refer to the time between two events. It's neutral, suitable for both informal and formal situations, but avoid it in very formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: At the same time vs Meantime
What's the difference between At the same time and Meantime?
At the same time: Occurring simultaneously or together. Meantime: The time in between two events.
Can you show an example of each?
At the same time: They left the house at the same time. Meantime: I'm changing my email address but for the meantime you can use the old one.
Can I use At the same time and Meantime interchangeably?
Not always. At the same time and Meantime 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.