Meaning
Used to indicate that two events are happening at the same time, showing concurrent actions or developments.
Primary Function
Indicating simultaneity
Communicative Purpose
To show that two things are happening together
Pattern
Meanwhile
Core Structure
Meanwhile
Função primária
Indicating simultaneity
Propósito comunicativo
To show that two things are happening together
Situações de gatilho
When describing multiple events occurring simultaneously, such as in stories, news, or updates
Contextos
Formal and informal writing, presentations, and everyday conversations
Padrão
Meanwhile
Estrutura central
Meanwhile
Slots de substituição
Can be used at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence to link clauses
Colocados típicos
- Meanwhile back at the office
- Meanwhile in another part of the city
Substituições comuns
- in the meantime
- at the same time
Erros comuns
Using 'meanwhile' instead of 'while' or 'at the same time' incorrectly
Similar / contraste
In the meantime, At the same time, While
Interferências
Learners may confuse 'meanwhile' with other temporal expressions
Família do chunk
- temporal connectors
Nuance
Highlights concurrent actions or events, creating a sense of parallelism
Efeito pragmático
Helps to create a clear and cohesive narrative flow
Dica de memória
Meanwhile, she was working
Nota
This chunk is particularly useful in narrative contexts to maintain flow by linking parallel actions, making it a key component in storytelling and reporting.
Upgrade path
then → at the same time → meanwhile
Log in to save chunks.