CASE


Meaning of CASE in English

noun

1

BAD : Switzerland has very little unemployment and in this case we are very lucky.

GOOD : Switzerland has very little unemployment and in this respect we are very lucky.

◆◆◆

in this/that case = in these/those circumstances: 'What shall I do if there are no trains?' 'In that case you'll have to go by bus.'

in this/that respect = with regard to this/that point or detail: 'The film is full of violence and in this respect is unsuitable for children.'

2

BAD : I advise you to eat something now in case there won't be any food when we get there.

GOOD : I advise you to eat something now in case there isn't any food when we get there.

3

BAD : In case a woman goes out to work, she shouldn't have to do all the housework.

GOOD : If a woman goes out to work, she shouldn't have to do all the housework.

◆◆◆

In British English in case is used only when you talk about something that is done as a precaution: 'Let's wait for another five minutes, just in case he shows up.'

In American English in case is sometimes used like if at the beginning of a conditional clause.

Longman Common Errors English vocabulary.      Английский словарь распространенных ошибок Longman.