En attendant definitions
| Word backwards | ne tnadnetta |
|---|---|
| Part of speech | In this context, "en attendant" is a prepositional phrase. |
| Syllabic division | en at-ten-dant |
| Plural | The plural of "en attendant" is "en attendant". This is because "en attendant" is a fixed expression in French and does not change when pluralized. |
| Total letters | 11 |
| Vogais (2) | e,a |
| Consonants (3) | n,t,d |
En Attendant: A Guide to Understanding the French Phrase
En attendant is a French phrase that translates to "while waiting" or "in the meantime." It is commonly used in the French language to indicate a period of waiting or passing time before a specific event or action takes place.
En attendant is often used in everyday conversations to express patience or to suggest that something is expected to happen in the future but has not yet occurred. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as making plans with friends, waiting for a meal to be ready, or anticipating the arrival of a train.
Usage of en attendant
In French, en attendant can be used at the beginning or middle of a sentence to connect ideas or actions. For example, "Je vais faire les courses, en attendant tu peux commencer à préparer le dîner" translates to "I will go grocery shopping, while waiting you can start preparing dinner." In this context, en attendant is used to link two actions that occur concurrently or in succession.
Additionally, en attendant can be used on its own as a standalone phrase to convey the idea of waiting without specifying what is being waited for. This versatile expression can be used in both formal and informal settings, making it a useful phrase to have in your French vocabulary.
Alternate meanings and variations
While the literal translation of en attendant is "while waiting," it can also be interpreted as "meanwhile" or "in the meantime" depending on the context in which it is used. Variations of this phrase include pendant ce temps or pendant ce temps-là, which serve a similar purpose of indicating a period of waiting or passing time.
Overall, en attendant is a versatile and commonly used French phrase that conveys the concept of waiting or passing time in a concise and elegant manner. Whether you are in a casual conversation or a formal setting, incorporating this phrase into your speech can help you effectively communicate the idea of waiting or anticipating something in the future.
En attendant Examples
- I'll be waiting for you at the restaurant, en attendant, please don't be late.
- En attendant the results of the experiment, we can work on other tasks.
- En attendant a response from the client, we will proceed with the project as planned.
- She sat by the window, en attendant the train to arrive.
- En attendant the storm to pass, they took shelter in the nearby cave.
- En attendant further instructions, the team continued to gather data for analysis.
- En attendant for the right moment, she decided to postpone her decision.
- He kept his eyes on the road, en attendant any sign of danger.
- The baby played with his toys, en attendant his parents to come home.
- En attendant his turn to speak, he listened carefully to what others had to say.