What is the difference between meanwhile and whilst?

Definitions

meanwhile

- Describing a period of time between two events or actions.

- Referring to something that is happening at the same time as another event.

- Talking about a temporary pause in one activity while another takes place.

whilst

- Describing a period of time during which an action takes place.

- Referring to something that happens at the same time as another event.

- Talking about a temporary pause in one activity while another takes place.

List of Similarities

• 1. Both words are conjunctions used to connect two clauses or ideas.
• 2. Both words can be used to indicate a temporal relationship between two events or actions.
• 3. Both words can be used to show a contrast between two ideas or actions.

What is the difference?

• 1. Usage: Meanwhile is more commonly used in American English, while whilst is more common in British English.
• 2. Formality: Whilst is considered more formal than meanwhile.
• 3. Meaning: Meanwhile emphasizes the passage of time between two events, while whilst emphasizes the occurrence of two events at the same time.
• 4. Position: Whilst is usually used at the beginning of a sentence, while meanwhile can be used at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence.
• 5. Connotation: Whilst can sound archaic or old-fashioned, while meanwhile is more neutral in tone.

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Remember this!

Meanwhile and whilst are both conjunctions used to connect two clauses or ideas. However, meanwhile emphasizes the passage of time between two events, while whilst emphasizes the occurrence of two events at the same time. Additionally, whilst is considered more formal and is more commonly used in British English, while meanwhile is more neutral in tone and is more commonly used in American English.