in case
in case — 片語
1. used when you do something now to be ready for a possible future situation, so t
以防
針對特定可能事件預先做準備的用法
used when you do something now to be ready for a possible future situation, so that you can deal with it if it happens
Elena took an extra battery in case her phone died during the hike.
Elena 多帶了一顆電池，以防手機在爬山時沒電。
in case + present tense for a future possibility
Noor wrote down the address in case she forgot it on the way.
Noor 把地址寫下來，以防在路上忘記。
Pedro packed a warm jacket in case the evening turned cold.
Pedro 帶了一件保暖夾克，以防傍晚變冷。
There were spare keys hidden outside in case anyone got locked out.
外面藏了備用鑰匙，以防有人被鎖在門外。
Keep my number in case you need help finding the place.
記下我的號碼，以防你需要幫忙找這個地方。
- for fear that
more formal and suggests stronger worry
- lest
very formal or literary; often used with 'should'
- so that … not
focuses on the purpose rather than the precaution
文法句型
in case + present tense clause
用法筆記
The clause after 'in case' uses present tense, not future: 'in case it rains' (not 'in case it will rain').
常見錯誤
2. used like 'if' to introduce a condition — something that may or may not be true,
如果
等於if，表示條件或假設的用法
used like 'if' to introduce a condition — something that may or may not be true, or something that may or may not happen
In case you see Ayana, tell her the meeting starts at noon.
如果你看到 Ayana，告訴她會議中午開始。
in case used as a synonym for 'if'
Call me in case the bus does not arrive on time.
如果公車沒有準時到，打電話給我。
Madison left a note in case her roommate came back early.
Madison 留了張紙條，如果室友提早回來的話。
In case anyone asks about the plan, the answer is no.
如果有人問起計畫的事，答案是不行。
The manager said to call him in case the delivery was late.
經理說如果貨物遲到就打電話給他。
- if
the direct equivalent; more common in all varieties of English
- in the event that
more formal, often used in official writing
- should
very formal; used with inversion: 'should you see him'
文法句型
in case + clause (= if)
用法筆記
This use of 'in case' to mean 'if' is typical of American English. In British English, 'in case' almost always carries the idea of taking a precaution (see sense 1).
3. used at the end of a sentence, often after 'just,' to mean that you are doing so
以防萬一
不指明具體情況的預防性用法
used at the end of a sentence, often after 'just,' to mean that you are doing something as a safety measure without naming the exact problem you are worried about
Tamar brought an umbrella just in case, though the sky looked clear.
Tamar 帶了傘以防萬一，雖然天空看起來很晴朗。
often paired with 'just': just in case
Ryo packed some snacks in case and headed to the station.
Ryo 以防萬一包了些點心，然後前往車站。
The nurse kept a spare blanket on the chair, just in case.
護理師在椅子上多放了一條毯子，以防萬一。
Nia bought extra flour in case, knowing the shops might close.
Nia 以防萬一多買了些麵粉，知道商店可能會關門。
Quan carried a flashlight, just in case, even during the daytime.
Quan 帶著手電筒，以防萬一，即使是大白天。
- as a precaution
more direct and explicit about the reason
- to be on the safe side
more casual and conversational
- for safety's sake
slightly more formal; emphasises avoiding harm
文法句型
(just) in case (clause-final)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: here, no clause follows 'in case.' The possible problem is left unstated. 'Just in case' is the most common form.