CARROTTA
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☂️ Compendium
Grammar
EN
English — in case
Use in case to talk about doing something as a precaution against a possible future event: Take an umbrella in case it rains. It differs from if, and in case of + noun works differently again.
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How it works
✓ Rule
In case introduces the precaution and is followed by the present simple for the future (I'll write it down in case I forget) or the past simple for a past reason (I wrote it down in case I forgot). The main clause names the sensible action taken beforehand.
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Examples
| Example | Use |
|---|---|
| Take an umbrella in case it rains. | in case + present simple — precaution for the future |
| I took an umbrella in case it rained. | in case + past simple — precaution reported in the past |
| I'll write it down in case I forget. | acting now to avoid a possible problem later |
| I'll go if it rains. | if = condition: the action depends on the event happening |
| In case of fire, break the glass. | in case of + noun — 'if this happens' on signs and instructions |
| In case of emergency, call this number. | in case of + noun before the main instruction |
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Good to know
⚠ Note
Do not use will after in case: say in case it rains, not 'in case it will rain'. And do not swap in case for if — Take an umbrella if it rains means only take it once rain has started, while Take an umbrella in case it rains means take it now as a precaution.