What Does In The Interim Mean

Have you ever been waiting for a big life change—a new job, a house closing, or a medical result—and someone tells you, "We'll touch base again in the interim"?

It sounds professional. It sounds decisive. But if you're sitting there wondering if that means you're waiting five minutes or five months, you aren't alone. English is full of these little "bridge" words that sound sophisticated but often leave people feeling slightly adrift.

What Is "In the Interim"

At its simplest, in the interim refers to the period of time between two specific events. Think of it as a temporal bridge. You have Event A (where you are now) and Event B (where you want to be), and the "interim" is the space in the middle.

It’s a way of describing a temporary state. You aren't quite at the destination yet, but you aren't stuck at the starting line either. You are in a transitional phase.

The Nuance of Time

The tricky part about this phrase is that it doesn't come with a built-in stopwatch. But unlike saying "in two weeks," the term "interim" is relative. If you are waiting for a court ruling, the interim might be months. If you are waiting for a coffee order, the interim is about sixty seconds.

Because it lacks a fixed duration, the phrase is often used to manage expectations. It acknowledges that there is a gap that needs to be filled, even if the exact length of that gap is still a bit fuzzy.

Interim vs. Temporary

People often use "interim" and "temporary" interchangeably, but there is a subtle distinction in how they feel. "Temporary" often implies something that is a bit makeshift or perhaps even a bit low-quality—like a temporary fix for a leaky pipe.

"Interim," however, usually carries a more formal or structural weight. Plus, it suggests a planned transition. An interim CEO isn't just a "temporary" boss; they are a specific person stepping in to hold the reins until a permanent replacement is found. It’s a role, not just a fleeting moment.

Why It Matters / Why People Care

Why do we bother using this phrase instead of just saying "meanwhile" or "for now"? It usually comes down to professionalism and precision.

In a business or legal setting, using "in the interim" signals that there is a process in motion. It suggests that while things aren't finished, they aren't stagnant either. It provides a sense of structure to a period of waiting.

Managing Expectations

If a contractor tells you, "I'll have the final blueprints to you in the interim," they are signaling that they are working on the next step. It’s a way of saying, "Don't expect the final result this second, but stay tuned."

When people fail to understand what "interim" implies in a conversation, it leads to frustration. If you assume the interim is a short period and your boss meant a long one, you're going to be checking your email every ten minutes for a result that won't arrive for weeks. Understanding the weight of this phrase helps you calibrate your own patience.

The Risk of Ambiguity

The downside? And ambiguity. Because "in the interim" is so vague, it can be used as a convenient way to avoid committing to a timeline. It’s a "polite" way of saying "I don't know when this will be done, but I'll let you know when it is." Knowing how to spot this can save you a lot of mental energy.

How It Works (or How to Do It)

Since "in the interim" isn't a physical object you can grab, "how it works" refers to how you should use it in communication—either as a writer or as a listener.

Using it in Professional Writing

If you want to sound authoritative and clear, use "interim" when you are describing a planned transition. It works best when you can pair it with a specific timeframe or a specific action.

Instead of saying: "We will update you in the interim." (This is vague and a bit weak.)

Try saying: "In the interim, we will continue to monitor the situation and provide weekly updates."

See the difference? Consider this: it tells the reader what is actually happening during that gap. The second version gives the "interim" a purpose. It turns a period of waiting into a period of active progress.

For more on this topic, read our article on when were the ten commandments written or check out what is emergent properties in biology.

Using it in Legal and Business Contexts

In these fields, "interim" often refers to specific, legally recognized states.

• Interim Reports: These are preliminary documents. They aren't the final word, but they provide enough data to make decisions while the full study or audit is completed.
• Interim Orders: In law, this might be a temporary injunction or a ruling that stays in place until a full trial or hearing occurs.

In these cases, the "interim" isn't just a gap; it's a functional tool used to maintain order while the permanent solution is being prepared.

Listening for the "Hidden" Meaning

When someone uses this phrase with you, you have to listen for the context. Are they using it to describe a legitimate transition, or are they using it to stall?

If someone says, "We'll review your application in the interim," and they don't give you a follow-up date, they might be being non-committal. If they say, "In the interim, please ensure your documentation is up to date," they are giving you a specific task to perform during the waiting period. One is a placeholder; the other is a directive.

Common Mistakes / What Most People Get Wrong

The biggest mistake is treating "in the interim" as a synonym for "eventually." It isn't.

The "Vague Placeholder" Trap

Many people use "in the interim" when they actually mean "later." This is a mistake because "interim" implies a connection between two specific points. If you say, "I'll call you in the interim," it makes no sense because there is no second event to bridge to. You can't be "between" nothing and nothing.

You should only use it when there is a clear "Before" and a clear "After."

Confusing "Interim" with "Intermediate"

This is a classic slip-up. "Intermediate" refers to a level of difficulty or a middle stage in a learning process (like an intermediate Spanish class). "Interim" refers to a period of time.

If you say, "I am an interim student," you are saying you are a temporary student. This leads to if you say, "I am an intermediate student," you are saying you are no longer a beginner. They are entirely different concepts.

Practical Tips / What Actually Works

If you want to master the use of this phrase—or at least understand it when it's thrown at you—here is the real talk.

For Writers: Be Specific

If you are writing an email or a report, don't let "in the interim" hang out in your sentences without support. So it's a heavy word. It needs a verb to carry it.

• Don't just say: "In the interim, we will wait."
• Do say: "In the interim, we will focus on [Task X] to ensure a smooth transition."

By attaching a specific action to the interim period, you remove the ambiguity that makes people roll their eyes.

For Professionals: Clarify the Gap

If a client or a boss uses "in the interim" with you, don't just nod and walk away. This is the part most people miss. You need to define the boundaries of that interim.

A great follow-up question is: "Understood. During this interim period, should I expect an update by a certain date, or should I check back in with you?"

This forces the other person to turn a vague temporal bridge into a concrete timeline. It moves the conversation from "we'll see" to "we'll know."

For Students: Watch the Context

When reading academic or legal texts, pay close attention to when "interim" appears. Which means it is often a signal that the information following it is not the final conclusion. If you are studying for an exam, don't mistake an interim finding for a settled fact.