English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
IN THE MAIN TIME, IN THE MEANTIME, IN THE MAIN
The computers have not arrived but we can keep using these ones in the ~main time~ (nonstandard).
The computers have not arrived but we can keep using these ones in the meantime (standard). In the meantime or meantime means in the period of time between two events. The expression, “in the main time”, is non-existent.
If you say that something is true in the main, you mean that it is generally true, although there may be exceptions:
In the main, children are not to be seen in the workplace. ✔️
“In the main” can also be used to mean “on the whole”:
We must remember that, in the main, we all have a role to play to make Nigeria great. ✔️
GAB
