Meanwhile refers to the same period as another action or to the time before an expected event.

The idea

Start a new sentence with Meanwhile, to introduce a simultaneous action or an activity while waiting. It connects ideas; it does not itself give a duration.

Examples

  • She cooked dinner. Meanwhile, I set the table.
  • The bus arrives in ten minutes. Meanwhile, we can read the map.
  • He packed the bags. Meanwhile, his sister checked the tickets.
  • The soup is heating. Meanwhile, please wash the cups.
  • The children played outside. Meanwhile, their parents spoke indoors.
  • The room will be ready soon. Meanwhile, you can wait here.

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Watch out

Meanwhile relates overlapping time; afterwards places the next action after the earlier one.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the word for an activity during the wait. The bus arrives in ten minutes. ___, we can read the map. (Meanwhile / Afterwards)

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    Meanwhile

    Meanwhile introduces an action during the wait.

  2. Choose the relationship between the actions. She cooked dinner. Meanwhile, I set the table. The actions ___. (overlapped / happened one after another)

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    overlapped

    Meanwhile indicates that the actions overlap in time.

  3. Choose the word for an action after the first one ends. The meal ended. ___, we went home. (Afterwards / Meanwhile)

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    Afterwards

    Afterwards places the action later, not simultaneously.

Use it today

Describe two actions that happen during the same period.