---
title: meantime — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «meantime» in the school dictionary: The time between two events: «in the meantime» means while you wait for something else to happen. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# meantime

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** time, you, Dinner, doctor, Ratty, new library · **What happens:** mean, wait, happen, be, do, come · **To what, where:** homework, meantime, ice, river, mobile library, sandwiches · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«meantime» in the school dictionary: its 2 meanings for a pupil and its 7 examples, every sentence parsed by Mova itself — its syntax tree, a dependency tree in the style of Universal Dependencies, and its pragmatics clause by clause. The word in the dictionary, with its sense in the lessons: [meantime in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/meantime.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The time between two events: «in the meantime» means while you wait for something else to happen.

<!-- fold The tree, 17 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:meantime:m1:1
# text = The time between two events: «in the meantime» means while you wait for something else to happen.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	time	time	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	nsubj	_	_
3	between	between	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	two	two	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	5	nummod	_	_
5	events	event	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	10	punct	_	_
7	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	10	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	in	in	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	meantime	meantime	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	appos	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	10	punct	_	_
12	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
13	while	while	SCONJ	IN	_	15	mark	_	_
14	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	15	nsubj	_	_
15	wait	wait	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	12	ccomp	_	_
16	for	for	ADP	IN	_	17	case	_	_
17	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	15	obl	_	_
18	else	else	ADV	RB	_	17	advmod	_	_
19	to	to	PART	TO	_	20	mark	_	_
20	happen	happen	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	17	acl	_	SpaceAfter=No
21	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	12	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | the time between two events |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **wait** | present | you |  |  |  |  | for something | vn exist-47.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 3 | **happen** | to-infinitive | you *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn occur-48.3-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

<!-- .note -->
One row per clause the reader finds. «not said here»: a role filled from the clause above. «roles by»: a VerbNet class and frame when one fits the verb, else the reader's rules on the tree.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: adverb — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Meanwhile; at the same time.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:meantime:m2:1
# text = Meanwhile; at the same time.
1	Meanwhile	meanwhile	ADV	RB	_	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	;	;	PUNCT	,	_	1	punct	_	_
3	at	at	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	same	same	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	time	time	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .note -->
The frames reader finds no event or fact in this sentence.

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Dinner will be ready in an hour; in the meantime, do your homework.

<!-- fold The tree, 13 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:meantime:x1:1
# text = Dinner will be ready in an hour; in the meantime, do your homework.
1	Dinner	dinner	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
2	will	will	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
3	be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	cop	_	_
4	ready	ready	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
5	in	in	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	hour	hour	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	;	;	PUNCT	:	_	13	punct	_	_
9	in	in	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
10	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	meantime	meantime	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
13	do	do	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	conj	_	_
14	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	15	nmod:poss	_	_
15	homework	homework	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | future | Dinner |  |  |  | hour | ready *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **do** | infinitive | Dinner *not said here* | your homework |  | the meantime |  |  | vn act-114-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent homework=Eventuality |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The doctor is coming. In the meantime, keep the ice on your knee.

<!-- .note -->
*Sentence 1:* The doctor is coming.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:meantime:x2:1
# text = The doctor is coming.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	doctor	doctor	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
4	coming	come	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **come** | present · progressive | the doctor |  |  |  |  |  | vn escape-51.1-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

<!-- .note -->
*Sentence 2:* In the meantime, keep the ice on your knee.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:meantime:x2:2
# text = In the meantime, keep the ice on your knee.
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	meantime	meantime	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
5	keep	keep	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	ice	ice	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	_
8	on	on	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	10	nmod:poss	_	_
10	knee	knee	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **keep** | imperative | you *not said here* | the ice |  | the meantime |  | on your knee | vn keep-15.2 «NP V NP PP.location»: agent=Agent ice=Theme in meantime=Location |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Meantime, Ratty was rowing up the river.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:meantime:x3:1
# text = Meantime, Ratty was rowing up the river.
1	Meantime	meantime	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	vocative	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	1	punct	_	_
3	Ratty	Ratty	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
4	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	aux	_	_
5	rowing	row	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	0	root	_	_
6	up	up	ADP	RP	_	5	compound:prt	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	river	river	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **row up** | past · progressive | Ratty | the river |  |  |  | Meantime *vocative* | vn nonvehicle-51.4.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent river=Theme |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The new library opens in May; for the meantime, use the mobile library.

<!-- fold The tree, 13 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:meantime:x4:1
# text = The new library opens in May; for the meantime, use the mobile library.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	new	new	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	library	library	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
4	opens	open	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	in	in	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	May	May	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	;	;	PUNCT	,	_	12	punct	_	_
8	for	for	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	meantime	meantime	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	10	punct	_	_
12	use	use	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	4	parataxis	_	_
13	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	15	det	_	_
14	mobile	mobile	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	15	amod	_	_
15	library	library	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	12	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **open** | present | the new library |  |  |  | may |  | vn spatial\_configuration-47.6-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 2 | **use** | infinitive |  | the mobile library |  |  |  | for the meantime | vn use-105.1 «NP V NP PP.predicate»: agent=Agent library=Theme for meantime=Eventuality |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
In the meantime, the snow kept falling.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:meantime:x5:1
# text = In the meantime, the snow kept falling.
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	meantime	meantime	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	snow	snow	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
7	kept	keep	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
8	falling	fall	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	7	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **keep** | past | the snow |  |  | the meantime |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **fall** | gerund | the snow *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn occur-48.3 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We waited for the bus and in the meantime ate our sandwiches.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:meantime:x6:1
# text = We waited for the bus and in the meantime ate our sandwiches.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	waited	wait	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	for	for	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	bus	bus	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	_
6	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	10	cc	_	_
7	in	in	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	meantime	meantime	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	nsubj	_	_
10	ate	eat	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	2	conj	_	_
11	our	our	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	12	nmod:poss	_	_
12	sandwiches	sandwich	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	10	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **wait** | past | We |  |  |  |  | for the bus | vn exist-47.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 2 | **eat** | past | the meantime | our sandwiches |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent sandwich=Patient |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
In the meantime, what of the boys?

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:meantime:x7:1
# text = In the meantime, what of the boys?
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	3	case	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	meantime	meantime	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	3	punct	_	_
5	what	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Int	0	root	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	boys	boy	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .note -->
The frames reader finds no event or fact in this sentence.

<!-- div src -->

**Text:** the school dictionary of Mova's schools (`world/data/dictionary-schools/`), written for Mova. **Trees:** Mova's own parse — the `en` model on the CPU, when the site is built — not checked by a teacher; they may be wrong. **Frames:** Mova's frames reader (`prag`), each meaning and example read on its own. Elamur Cosmic License.

<!-- /div -->

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