Use in case to give the reason for doing something now: because a later problem is possible. In case is not the same as if, and it is not followed by will.
A in case: because it is possible
You should keep a torch in the house in case there is a power cut.
in case something happens = because it is possible that it will happen.
Use just in case for a smaller possibility. Do not use will after in case (see also Unit 25). The present does the job perfectly well.
- I'll save the document now in case the computer crashes. (= because it is possible the computer will crash)
- Shall I send you the directions in case your satnav doesn't work?
- I'll ring the restaurant in case they've lost our booking. (= because it is possible they have lost it)
- I don't think we'll need the tent, but I'll pack it just in case.
- I'll save it now in case the computer crashes. (not in case it will crash)
B in case and if are different
Use in case to say why somebody does, or does not do, something. You act now in case something happens later.
If is a condition: you act only when the thing happens.
| in case | if |
|---|---|
| We'll make extra sandwiches in case Ella comes. (We make them now, whether she comes or not. If she does come, they are ready.) | We'll make extra sandwiches if Ella comes. (If she comes, we make more. If she does not, we do not.) |
| I'll leave you a key in case you need to get in. | You can use this key if you need to get in. |
| You should back up your files in case your laptop is stolen. | You should tell the police if your laptop is stolen. |
- We'll make extra sandwiches in case Ella comes.
- We'll make extra sandwiches if Ella comes.
- You should back up your files in case your laptop is stolen.
- You should tell the police if your laptop is stolen.
C in case + past
Use in case + past to say why somebody did something.
- I left her a key in case she needed to get in. (= because it was possible she would need to get in)
- I wrote the directions down for Tom in case he got lost.
- We knocked again in case they hadn't heard us the first time.
D in case of
In case of means if there is. It appears mostly on notices and in instructions, where nobody has room for a whole clause.
- In case of fire, do not use the lift. (= if there is a fire)
- In case of difficulty, please ask at reception. (= if there is any difficulty)
Exercises
114.1 Kerry is cycling to Whitby on her own. You are worried about her, because perhaps she will get a puncture, it is possible she will get lost, maybe it will get cold, perhaps she will get hungry, it might get dark, and maybe she will get bored. You advise her what to do. Complete the sentences using in case.
Take a repair kit in case you get a puncture.
Take a repair kit in case you get a puncture.
You should take some sandwiches .
You should take some sandwiches in case you get hungry.
You'll need a warm jumper .
You'll need a warm jumper in case it gets cold.
Take your lights .
Take your lights in case it gets dark.
Don't forget your map .
Don't forget your map in case you get lost.
Shall I come with you ?
Shall I come with you in case you get bored?
114.2 What do you say in each situation? Use in case.
Your plumber might need to ring you while you are at work, so you give him your number.
I'll give you my number in case you need to ring me.
I'll give you my number in case you need to ring me.
A colleague starts a new job next week. Perhaps you will not see her again before she goes, so you decide to wish her luck now.
I'll say good luck now .
I'll say good luck now in case I don't see you again.
You are packing for a trip with a friend. You think you have everything, but maybe you have forgotten something. Your friend has the checklist, and you ask him to look at it.
Can you ?
Can you check the list in case we've forgotten something?
A friend has just ordered a jacket online without checking the size. Maybe it will not fit, so you advise her to keep the box.
Keep .
Keep the box in case it doesn't fit.
114.3 Complete the sentences using in case.
It was possible that the trains would be late, so I left early.
I left early in case the trains were late.
I left early in case the trains were late.
I thought I might forget the address, so I wrote it on my hand.
I wrote the address on my hand .
I wrote the address on my hand in case I forgot it.
I thought my sister might be lonely, so I went round to see her.
I went round to see my sister .
I went round to see my sister in case she was lonely.
I rang Dan, but he didn't answer. I left a voicemail, because maybe he hadn't heard the phone.
I left him a voicemail .
I left him a voicemail in case he hadn't heard the phone.
On holiday I met a couple from Glasgow. They said they might visit Bristol one day. I live in Bristol, so I gave them my address.
I gave them my address .
I gave them my address in case they came to Bristol.
114.4 Put in in case or if.
I'll leave the porch light on ___ you get back late.
in case
I'll leave the porch light on in case you get back late.
Tell a member of staff ___ you see anything suspicious.
if
Tell a member of staff if you see anything suspicious.
I hope you'll visit Edinburgh one day. ___ you do, come and stay with us.
I hope you'll visit Edinburgh one day. If you do, come and stay with us.
I backed up all my photos ___ my laptop broke down.
I backed up all my photos in case my laptop broke down.
This scarf is Mo's. Could you give it to him ___ you see him?
This scarf is Mo's. Could you give it to him if you see him?
Put a label on your suitcase ___ the airline loses it.
Put a label on your suitcase in case the airline loses it.
Ring this number ___ your card is lost or stolen.
Ring this number if your card is lost or stolen.
The smoke alarm will go off ___ you burn the toast.
The smoke alarm will go off if you burn the toast.
Hide your bag under the seat ___ somebody looks into the car.
Hide your bag under the seat in case somebody looks into the car.
I took out travel insurance ___ I had to cancel the trip.
I took out travel insurance in case I had to cancel the trip.