Linking Words – “In case”

“In case you were wondering, I’m fine…”

“I carry a second battery with me every time I go out and take photos. Just in case.”

“I’m selling my iPad, in case you’re interested, John.”

Linking words can sometimes trip students up, and last week ‘in case‘ was something one or two of my own students were asking me about.

We use in case to communicate that we are preparing for something that might happen or is a possibility of happening.

We are thinking of a situation that we feel we need to be ready for:

I think I have enough pounds for our trip to London. But I’ll bring my credit card just in case.” – Sally

In this example, Sally’s bringing her credit card because there’s a possibility that she may run out of money and need to take out extra cash.

Here are a few more examples:

“I always keeps my money in my front jeans pocket, never in the back. Just in case. You have to be careful these days.” – Simona

Here Sally keeps her money in her front jeans pocket in case a pickpocket should want to steal from her. She does this to make sure her money will be looked after, that it’ll still be there at the end of the day.

“I think Sam did the shopping today, but I’ll grab some bread at the 7-11 just in case she forgot.” – Pavel

Pavel no doubt wants to have something to eat at home. To prepare for the possibility that Sam forgot to do the shopping, he’s at least getting some bread to bring home. That way there’s at least something to eat should Sam have forgotten.

Just in case

This is a common phrase we use for expressing that we are doing something in order to be prepared for something:

“Those clouds look scary. Let’s go through the tunnel just in case.”

Showing the reason for doing or saying something

In case is often used in conversation as a way to introduce a topic which you want to talk about:

In case you were wondering, I’ve already done the dishes.

In case you didn’t know, Silvia lost her job.

In case you’re interested, O2 are offering iPhones half price this week!

In case you missed it, the Hawks won!

In case you forgot, tomorrow is Sally’s birthday.

In case I get hit by a bus tonight, I’ll sign this now.

In case you haven’t noticed, I went to the hairdresser’s today.

Expressing emotion

Sometimes we say the phrases above to help communicate a certain emotion. For example, maybe Pavel’s partner, Sam, is not happy that he hasn’t complimented her on her new haircut. So she may say in an annoyed tone:

In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve been to the hairdresser’s.

How is it different to ‘if’?

Some native speakers may even use in case with a similar meaning to if:

In case I’m late, start dinner without me.

Usually though it’s completely different:

I’ll bring an umbrella in case it rains

= I’ll bring an umbrella with me because it might rain later on

I’ll bring an umbrella if it’s raining

= I’ll bring an umbrella with me if I can see it’s raining before I leave home

Further notes

Macmillan Dictionary

Photo credits

Image Andrew Morrell Photography
Licence CC by 2.0