cases in which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cases in which" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to refer to a particular set of circumstances or situations. For example: "The court ruled that there were certain cases in which the accused was not guilty."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Three are negative cases, in which China maintained opposition.

Columbia University

These excerpts discuss the cases in which Fraenkel was involved.

Princeton University

But there are some cases in which it's significant".

The New York Times - Health

Senator Ashcroft hit at cases in which Judge White dissented.

The New York Times

However, there are many cases in which the opposite occurs.

Nature

Yet other cases in which questions arose were not revisited.

The New York Times

There's one category of cases in which we agree.

The New York Times

There are also cases in which real hair poses problems.

The New York Times - Arts

the two, & of cases in which Duveen outwitted his rival.

The New Yorker

There may be cases in which this determination presents problems, but surely there are many cases in which the de- termination is quite easy.

Cornell University

During that time he observed many cases in which tourism helped to strengthen local economies and protect ecosystems — and cases in which it did not.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cases in which", ensure the sentence clearly specifies the condition or criteria being considered. For example, "There are specific "cases in which" this rule does not apply."

Common error

Avoid using "cases in which" when a simpler construction would suffice. Instead of "There are "cases in which" this is true", consider "Sometimes this is true".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cases in which" functions as a relative clause introducer, specifying particular situations or instances. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound. It often introduces dependent clauses that provide further detail or conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

42%

News & Media

38%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cases in which" serves as a versatile tool for specifying particular circumstances or conditions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various registers. While "cases in which" is highly frequent, the writing guidance suggests avoiding its overuse in favor of simpler constructions when appropriate. Alternatives such as "instances where" or "situations where" can offer stylistic variation while maintaining clarity. Overall, "cases in which" remains a valuable component of effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instances where

Replaces "cases" with "instances", which is a more general term for occurrences.

situations in which

Substitutes "cases" with "situations", focusing on the specific circumstances.

circumstances where

Uses "circumstances" instead of "cases", emphasizing the conditions surrounding an event.

occasions when

Replaces "cases" with "occasions", highlighting specific times or events.

situations where

Uses the term "situations" instead of "cases", highlighting different circumstances.

instances in what

Slightly changes the structure while keeping a similar meaning to the original term.

times when

Focuses on the temporal aspect of the events, replacing "cases" with "times".

situations when

Alternative with less formal tone, emphasizing an instance.

events in which

Replaces "cases" with "events", focusing on the occurrences themselves.

examples where

Substitute "cases" with "examples", which is a more explicit term for a particular occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "cases in which" in a sentence?

Use "cases in which" to introduce specific situations or conditions where something applies or occurs. For instance, "There are "cases in which" exceptions are made to this rule".

What are some alternatives to "cases in which"?

You can use alternatives like "instances where", "situations in which", or "circumstances where" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "cases in which" or "where"?

The choice depends on the context. "Cases in which" is more formal and emphasizes specific instances. "Where" is simpler and more general. Compare "These are the "cases in which" the policy applies" to "These are the situations where the policy applies".

What's the difference between "cases in which" and "in cases where"?

"Cases in which" is the standard, grammatically correct phrase. "In cases where" is also acceptable, although slightly less formal. They both introduce conditions or situations. Consider, "These are "cases in which" the problem arises" versus "In cases where the problem arises, we take action".