Cool MateIn the meantime vs Meanwhile
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
In the meantime
Top 2,000 (common)
Meanwhile
Top 2,000 (common)B1adverb
| In the meantime | Meanwhile | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪn ðə ˈmiːnˌtaɪm//🇺🇸 //ɪn ðə ˈmiːnˌtaɪm// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈmiːnwaɪl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈmiːnwaɪl/"]/ |
| Meaning | During a period of time when something is happening. | At the same time as something else happens. |
| Example | 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 |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | 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 | 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 | 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. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: In the meantime vs Meanwhile
What's the difference between In the meantime and Meanwhile?
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?
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 In the meantime and Meanwhile interchangeably?
Not always. 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.