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In case or if

In case or if

• Ann might phone tonight. I don't want to go out in case she phones. (= because it is possible she will phone)

• I'll draw a map for you in case you can't find our house. (= because it is possible you won't be able to find it)

We use just in case for a smaller possibility:

• I don't think it will rain but I'll take an umbrella just in case. (= just in case it rains)

Do not use will after in case. Use a present tense for the future

• I don't want to go out tonight in case Ann phones, (not 'in case Ann will phone')

- In case is not the same as if. We use in case to say why somebody does (or doesn't do) something. You do something now in case something happens later.

Compare:

In case :

We'll buy some more food in case Tom comes.(= Perhaps Tom will come; we'll buy some more food now, whether he comes or not; then we'll already have the food //he comes.)
I'll give you my phone number in case you need to contact me.
You should insure your bicycle in case it is stolen.

If:

· We'll buy some more food if Tom comes. (= Perhaps Tom will come; if he comes, we'll buy some more food; if he doesn't come, we won't buy any more food.)

· You can phone me at the hotel if you need to contact me.

· You should inform the police if your bicycle is stolen.

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

We bought some more food in case Tom came. (= because it was possible that Tom would come)
I drew a map for Sarah in case she couldn't find the house.
We rang the bell again in case they hadn't heard it the first time.

Put in case or if:

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English exercise "In case or if" created by felin with The test builder. [More lessons & exercises from felin]
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1. Ann might phone this evening. I don't want to go out (in case/ if) she phones.

2. You should tell the police (in case/ if) your bicycle is stolen.

3. I hope you'll come to London sometime. (in case/ if) you come, you can stay with us.

4. This letter is for Susan. Can you give it to her (in case/ if) you see her?

5. Write your name and address on your bag (in case/ if) you lose it.

6. Go to the lost property office (in case/ if) you lose your bag.

7. The burglar alarm will ring (in case/ if) somebody tries to break into the house.

8. I’ve just painted the door. I'll put a WET PAINT notice next to it (in case/ if) somebody doesn't realise it's just been painted.

9. I was advised to arrange insurance (in case/ if) I needed medical treatment while I was abroad.

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