As, While or Meanwhile?
2021-07-31
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1This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Carmen in Mexico.
2She asks:
3What are the differences between "as," "while" and "meanwhile"?
4Thanks for your help. Greetings from México.
5Hi Carmen! All three words inform us that two things are happening at the same time.
6Any of them can be used in place of the other when you want to express that idea.
7But, if you are ever unsure which one to use, choose "while."
8We can use the word "while" or "as" to connect two actions or situations that happen at the same time.
9Listen to the examples:
10While I was crossing the street, the traffic light turned red.
11As I was crossing the street, the traffic light turned red.
12But "while" is more common.
13"As" can sometimes sound formal - or even literary.
14Notice that the structure of the two sentence examples is the same. Only one word changes.
15You can also put "as" or "while" in the middle of a sentence.
16For example, you can say, "The traffic light turned red as I was crossing the street."
17Now, let's talk about "meanwhile," which means "at or during the same time."
18When we use "meanwhile," our sentence structure changes.
19Listen to how the speaker uses it:
20I was crossing the street. Meanwhile, the traffic light turned red.
21Here, you have two separate sentences describing what two things happened.
22"Meanwhile" comes at the start of the second sentence.
23American English speakers generally use "meanwhile" when we are telling a lively or funny story about someone or something.
24For example, American comedian Stephen Colbert uses the word on his late-night television show to recount unusual news events.
25Real journalists also use "meanwhile" in their reports.
26In news, it often signals a sudden change in a story's direction.
27And finally, note that all three words have other meanings that they do not share.
28That's Ask a Teacher for this week.
29I'm Alice Bryant.
1This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Carmen in Mexico. She asks: 2Question: 3What are the differences between "as," "while" and "meanwhile"? Thanks for your help. Greetings from México. 4Answer: 5Hi Carmen! All three words inform us that two things are happening at the same time. Any of them can be used in place of the other when you want to express that idea. But, if you are ever unsure which one to use, choose "while." 6While and as 7We can use the word "while" or "as" to connect two actions or situations that happen at the same time. Listen to the examples: 8While I was crossing the street, the traffic light turned red. 9As I was crossing the street, the traffic light turned red. 10But "while" is more common. "As" can sometimes sound formal - or even literary. 11Notice that the structure of the two sentence examples is the same. Only one word changes. 12You can also put "as" or "while" in the middle of a sentence. For example, you can say, "The traffic light turned red as I was crossing the street." 13Meanwhile 14Now, let's talk about "meanwhile," which means "at or during the same time." 15When we use "meanwhile," our sentence structure changes. Listen to how the speaker uses it: 16I was crossing the street. Meanwhile, the traffic light turned red. 17Here, you have two separate sentences describing what two things happened. "Meanwhile" comes at the start of the second sentence. 18American English speakers generally use "meanwhile" when we are telling a lively or funny story about someone or something. For example, American comedian Stephen Colbert uses the word on his late-night television show to recount unusual news events. 19Real journalists also use "meanwhile" in their reports. In news, it often signals a sudden change in a story's direction. 20And finally, note that all three words have other meanings that they do not share. 21That's Ask a Teacher for this week. 22I'm Alice Bryant. 23Alice Bryant wrote this lesson for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. 24_______________________________________________________________ 25Words in This Story 26formal - adj. suitable for serious or official speech and writing 27literary - adj. of or relating to literature 28comedian - n. a performer of humor