in the mean time vs meanwhile

Both 'in the mean time' and 'meanwhile' are correct phrases, but they are used in different contexts. 'In the mean time' is used to refer to a period of time between two events or actions, while 'meanwhile' is used to indicate something happening at the same time as something else.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 775 views

in the mean time

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to refer to a period of time between two events or actions.

This phrase is used to indicate a temporary period of time during which something else is expected to happen.

Examples:

In the mean time, I will finish this report.
You can start preparing dinner, and in the mean time, I will set the table.
In the mean time, let's focus on completing this task.
She will be back in the mean time, so we can wait for her.
In the mean time, you can read a book or watch TV.

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And in the mean time, personal savings absolutely plummeted.
And in the mean time I had only one month left to finish my plans for a new perpetual motion machine.
Therefore, we have to use biotechnology to help us increase food production, we have to reduce bureaucracy and, in the mean time, we have to help the poorest in the world through this short-term crisis, because that is what it is.
In the mean time I want you to study the route
So I have just finishing up with a few security check but in the mean time I'll show you around a bit.
But in the mean time, look, for you.
Great in the mean time, I'll try to sabotage the wedding by luring Brad away from her.
I ask, in the mean time, that Parliament concentrate on this paragraph 3 and the parallel amendments tabled by myself and colleagues.
The Commission will be presenting a communication next year but, in the mean time, we will help to channel structural funds for health.
The Commission must in the mean time insist on all Member States properly and fully transposing the Posting of Workers Directive into national legislation.
Thus he is without the pass for that time and cannot hunt in other third countries in the mean time.
I received only a vague reply and nothing has happened in the mean time.
I want assure you that everything possible is being done to find those responsible for this tragedy, but in the mean time we should all be on the lookout for any suspicious activity...
I have understood that the Council too may have changed its opinion in the mean time.
The extradition request was initially sent to the French Government as well, but in the mean time Battisti had fled to Brazil.
I would like to also point out that in the mean time the Commission has adopted the Green Paper on the security of energy supplies which is so closely linked with this document and, of course, with Mr Linkohr's report.
And in the mean time, we will take the info your guys gave us on Rhodes, linking him to the past crime scenes and maybe we can get a search warrant out of it.
But in the mean time, perhaps you're wondering, who is this game designer to be talking to us about deathbed regrets?
However, in the mean time and in the long run, we hope to find ways and explore the possibilities of how we can use or amend in that respect European legislation so that we have the possibility of classifying ETS as such as a carcinogen.
Finally, we must be aware that, although the process of drawing up an international treaty on the transfer of weapons is already under way, it will be a slow process, and in the mean time arms sales in the world are still increasing.

Alternatives:

meanwhile
in the meantime
in the interim
in the interval
for now

meanwhile

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate something happening at the same time as something else.

This phrase is used to introduce a contrasting or simultaneous event or situation.