In Case | Unit 114 | PrepMyEnglish

Unit 114 · Grammar Lesson

Unité 114 · Leçon de Grammaire

In Case
in case vs if · just in case · in case + past · in case of — Complete Guide In Case — Au Cas Où
in case vs if · just in case · in case au passé · in case of — Guide Complet

Learn when and how to use in case to express precautionary actions, contrast it with if, master just in case, past uses, and the formal in case of.

Apprenez quand et comment utiliser in case pour exprimer des actions préventives, le distinguer de if, maîtriser just in case, les formes au passé et in case of.

B1 – B2 4 Rules · 4 Exercises · 200-Q Quiz · PDF 4 Règles · 4 Exercices · Quiz 200 Q · PDF 🇬🇧 EN / 🇫🇷 FR

We use in case to say why somebody does (or doesn’t do) something — we do something now because something might happen later. For example: Your car should have a spare wheel in case you have a puncture. This is different from if, which expresses a condition that must actually be met before action is taken.

On utilise in case (= au cas où) pour expliquer pourquoi quelqu’un fait (ou ne fait pas) quelque chose — on agit maintenant parce que quelque chose pourrait arriver plus tard. Par exemple : Your car should have a spare wheel in case you have a puncture. C’est différent de if, qui exprime une condition qui doit réellement se réaliser avant d’agir.

in case — Doing Something as a Precaution

in case — Agir par Précaution

in case something happens = because it is possible it will happen. You do something now, in case something happens later.

in case something happens = parce que c’est possible que cela arrive. Vous agissez maintenant, au cas où quelque chose se passerait plus tard.

in case + present simple (future situations)
Your car should have a spare wheel in case you have a puncture.
I’d better write down my password in case I forget it.
Shall I draw a map for you in case you have a problem finding our house?

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No ‘will’ after in case! Pas de ‘will’ après in case ! We do not use will after in case. Use present simple instead: ✓ in case I forget it ✗ in case I will forget it On n’utilise pas will après in case. On utilise le présent simple : ✓ in case I forget it ✗ in case I will forget it

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just in case — Use just in case for a smaller or less likely possibility: I don’t think it will rain, but I’ll take an umbrella just in case. — Utilisez just in case pour une possibilité plus petite ou moins probable : I don’t think it will rain, but I’ll take an umbrella just in case.

in case vs if — An Important Difference

in case vs if — Une Différence Importante

In case and if are not the same. We use in case to say why somebody does something — you do something now, whether or not the event happens. If = action taken only when/after the condition is met.

In case et if ne sont pas la même chose. On utilise in case pour expliquer pourquoi on agit — on fait quelque chose maintenant, que l’événement se produise ou non. If = on agit seulement lorsque/après que la condition est remplie.

in case — precaution now

(action taken now, regardless of outcome)

(action faite maintenant, quel que soit le résultat)

We’ll buy some more food in case Tom comes.
= We buy food now. We already have it if he comes.= On achète maintenant, qu’il vienne ou non.

I’ll give you my phone number in case you need to contact me.
= I give it now as a precaution.= Je le donne maintenant par précaution.

You should insure your bike in case it is stolen.
= Take out insurance now because theft is possible.= Prenez une assurance maintenant car le vol est possible.

if — conditional action

(action taken only when the condition is met)

(action faite seulement quand la condition est remplie)

We’ll buy some more food if Tom comes.
= If he comes, we’ll buy food then. If not, we won’t.= S’il vient, on achète. Sinon, on n’achète pas.

You can call me on this number if you need to contact me.
= Use the number only when you actually need to.= Utilisez le numéro seulement si vous en avez besoin.

You should inform the police if your bike is stolen.
= Call police only when/if theft actually happens.= Appelez la police seulement si le vol se produit.

in case + Past Tense — Saying Why You Did Something

in case + Passé — Expliquer Pourquoi Vous Avez Agi

You can use in case + past tense to say why somebody did something:

On utilise in case + passé pour expliquer pourquoi quelqu’un a agi :

in case + past simple / past perfect
I gave him my phone number in case he needed to contact me.
I drew a map for Sarah in case she had a problem finding our house.
We rang the doorbell again in case they hadn’t heard it the first time.

Situation	Action (precaution)	In case clause
Situation	Action (précaution)	Clause in case
Possible forgetfulness	I wrote it down	in case I forgot it
Oubli possible	Je l’ai noté	in case I forgot it
Parents might worry	I phoned them	in case they were worried
Parents pourraient s’inquiéter	Je les ai appelés	in case they were worried
Email might not be received	I sent another one	in case she hadn’t received it
Email peut-être non reçu	J’en ai envoyé un autre	in case she hadn’t received it

in case of — Formal Notices and Instructions

in case of — Panneaux et Instructions Officiels

in case of = if there is… — used especially on notices and instructions. It is followed by a noun, not a clause.

in case of = s’il y a… — utilisé surtout sur les panneaux et les instructions officielles. Il est suivi d’un nom, pas d’une proposition.

In case of + noun (formal notices)
In case of fire, please leave the building as quickly as possible.
In case of emergency, call this number.
In case of breakdown, call our 24-hour helpline.

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Full clause vs noun: Proposition vs nom : In case of fire (notice, noun only) = In case there is a fire (full clause). You cannot say In case of there is a fire. In case of fire (panneau, nom seul) = In case there is a fire (proposition complète). On ne peut pas dire In case of there is a fire.

EX 1

Sophie is going for a long walk. Complete each sentence with “in case” + a reason.

Sophie part se promener. Complétez chaque phrase avec “in case” + une raison.

Possible reasons: she gets lost · she gets hungry · it rains · she gets thirsty · she needs to call somebody · she gets lonely

Raisons possibles: elle se perd · elle a faim · il pleut · elle a soif · elle doit appeler quelqu’un · elle se sent seule

Take a map .

You should take some chocolate .

You’ll need an anorak .

Take plenty of water .

Don’t forget your phone .

Shall I come with you ?

Answers:Réponses : 1. in case you get lost · 2. in case you get hungry · 3. in case it rains · 4. in case you get thirsty · 5. in case you need to call somebody · 6. in case you get lonely

EX 2

What do you say in these situations? Complete using in case.

Que diriez-vous dans ces situations ? Complétez avec in case.

Jane might need to contact you. You give her your phone number. You say: “I’ll give you my phone number .”Jane pourrait avoir besoin de vous contacter. Vous lui donnez votre numéro. Vous dites : “I’ll give you my phone number .”

Your friend is going away. You might not see her before she goes. You say: “I’ll say goodbye now .”Votre amie part en voyage. Vous dites : “I’ll say goodbye now .”

You’re shopping but you might have forgotten something. You say: “Can you check the list ?”Vous faites des courses. Vous dites : “Can you check the list ?”

Your friend bought jeans without trying them on. They might not fit. You advise her: “Keep the receipt .”Votre amie a acheté un jean sans l’essayer. Vous lui conseillez : “Keep the receipt .”

Answers:Réponses : 1. in case you need to contact me · 2. in case I don’t see you again · 3. in case we’ve forgotten something · 4. in case they don’t fit

EX 3

Complete the sentences using in case + past tense.

Complétez les phrases avec in case + passé.

It was possible that it would rain, so I took an umbrella. → I took an umbrella .

I might forget the name of the book. So I wrote it down. → I wrote down the name of the book .

My parents might be worried about me. So I phoned them. → I phoned my parents .

I sent Lisa an email. She didn’t reply. Maybe she didn’t get the first one. So I sent another. → I sent her another email the first one.

I met people on holiday in France. They might come to London. I gave them my phone number. → I gave them my phone number .

Answers:Réponses : 1. in case it rained · 2. in case I forgot it · 3. in case they were worried · 4. in case she hadn’t received the first one · 5. in case they came to London

EX 4

Put in “in case” or “if”.

Mettez “in case” ou “if”.

I’ll draw a map for you you have a problem finding our house.

You should tell the police you have any information about the crime.

I hope you’ll come to Australia sometime. you come, you must visit us.

I made a copy of the document something happens to the original.

This book belongs to Kate. Can you give it to her you see her?

Write your name and phone number on your bag you lose it.

Go to the lost property office you lose your bag.

The burglar alarm will ring somebody tries to break into the house.

You should lock your bike to something somebody tries to steal it.

10.

I was advised to get insurance I needed medical treatment while I was abroad.

Answers:Réponses : 1. in case · 2. if · 3. If · 4. in case · 5. if · 6. in case · 7. if · 8. if · 9. in case · 10. in case

Frequently Asked Questions — in case

Questions fréquentes — in case

What does ‘in case’ mean and when do I use it? Que signifie ‘in case’ et quand l’utilise-t-on ?

In case (= au cas où) means you do something now as a precaution because something might happen later. Example: Take a map in case you get lost. You take the map before you know if you’ll get lost. Compare: Use the map if you get lost (= use it only when/if you actually get lost).

In case signifie que vous agissez maintenant par précaution parce que quelque chose pourrait arriver plus tard. Exemple : Take a map in case you get lost. Comparez : Use the map if you get lost (= utilisez-la seulement si vous vous perdez réellement).

Why can’t we say ‘in case it will rain’? Pourquoi ne peut-on pas dire ‘in case it will rain’ ?

We do not use will after in case. Use the present simple instead for future reference: ✓ in case it rains ✗ in case it will rain. This is the same rule as for if, when, unless, as soon as etc. in time/conditional clauses.

On n’utilise pas will après in case. On utilise le présent simple : ✓ in case it rains ✗ in case it will rain.

What is the difference between ‘in case’ and ‘if’? Quelle est la différence entre ‘in case’ et ‘if’ ?

In case = action taken NOW regardless of outcome, as a precaution. If = action taken ONLY when the condition is met. Compare: We’ll buy food in case Tom comes (= we buy now, whether or not he comes) vs We’ll buy food if Tom comes (= we only buy when/if he actually arrives).

In case = action faite MAINTENANT quel que soit le résultat, par précaution. If = action faite SEULEMENT quand la condition est remplie.

What is ‘in case of’ and how is it different from ‘in case’? Qu’est-ce que ‘in case of’ et en quoi diffère-t-il de ‘in case’ ?

In case of = if there is… — used especially on formal notices and instructions. It is followed by a noun: In case of fire · In case of emergency. In case is followed by a full clause: in case there is a fire. You cannot mix them: ✗ In case of there is a fire.

In case of = s’il y a… — utilisé surtout sur les panneaux et instructions formelles. Il est suivi d’un nom : In case of fire · In case of emergency.

What does ‘just in case’ mean? Que signifie ‘just in case’ ?

Just in case is used when the possibility is small or unlikely: I don’t think it will rain, but I’ll take an umbrella just in case. It can also stand alone at the end of a sentence: I’ll take some cash, just in case. No ‘will’ after it: ✓ just in case it rains ✗ just in case it will rain.

Just in case s’utilise quand la possibilité est petite ou peu probable. Il peut aussi se placer seul en fin de phrase : I’ll take some cash, just in case. Pas de ‘will’ après.

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Unit 114 Quiz

Quiz Unité 114

20 questions

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out ofsur questionsquestions

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Correct

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Wrong

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Skipped

Sautées

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In Case | Unit 114 | PrepMyEnglish

Unit 114 · Grammar Lesson

Unité 114 · Leçon de Grammaire

In Case
in case vs if · just in case · in case + past · in case of — Complete Guide In Case — Au Cas Où
in case vs if · just in case · in case au passé · in case of — Guide Complet

Learn when and how to use in case to express precautionary actions, contrast it with if, master just in case, past uses, and the formal in case of.

Apprenez quand et comment utiliser in case pour exprimer des actions préventives, le distinguer de if, maîtriser just in case, les formes au passé et in case of.

B1 – B2 4 Rules · 4 Exercises · 200-Q Quiz · PDF 4 Règles · 4 Exercices · Quiz 200 Q · PDF 🇬🇧 EN / 🇫🇷 FR

in case — Doing Something as a Precaution

in case — Agir par Précaution

in case something happens = because it is possible it will happen. You do something now, in case something happens later.

in case something happens = parce que c’est possible que cela arrive. Vous agissez maintenant, au cas où quelque chose se passerait plus tard.

⚠️

💡

in case vs if — An Important Difference

in case vs if — Une Différence Importante

in case — precaution now

(action taken now, regardless of outcome)

(action faite maintenant, quel que soit le résultat)

We’ll buy some more food in case Tom comes.
= We buy food now. We already have it if he comes.= On achète maintenant, qu’il vienne ou non.

I’ll give you my phone number in case you need to contact me.
= I give it now as a precaution.= Je le donne maintenant par précaution.

You should insure your bike in case it is stolen.
= Take out insurance now because theft is possible.= Prenez une assurance maintenant car le vol est possible.

if — conditional action

(action taken only when the condition is met)

(action faite seulement quand la condition est remplie)

We’ll buy some more food if Tom comes.
= If he comes, we’ll buy food then. If not, we won’t.= S’il vient, on achète. Sinon, on n’achète pas.

You can call me on this number if you need to contact me.
= Use the number only when you actually need to.= Utilisez le numéro seulement si vous en avez besoin.

You should inform the police if your bike is stolen.
= Call police only when/if theft actually happens.= Appelez la police seulement si le vol se produit.

in case + Past Tense — Saying Why You Did Something

in case + Passé — Expliquer Pourquoi Vous Avez Agi

You can use in case + past tense to say why somebody did something:

On utilise in case + passé pour expliquer pourquoi quelqu’un a agi :

Situation	Action (precaution)	In case clause
Situation	Action (précaution)	Clause in case
Possible forgetfulness	I wrote it down	in case I forgot it
Oubli possible	Je l’ai noté	in case I forgot it
Parents might worry	I phoned them	in case they were worried
Parents pourraient s’inquiéter	Je les ai appelés	in case they were worried
Email might not be received	I sent another one	in case she hadn’t received it
Email peut-être non reçu	J’en ai envoyé un autre	in case she hadn’t received it