in case she needs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in case she needs" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a precautionary measure or to express readiness for a situation where someone might require assistance or something. Example: "I will leave my phone on in case she needs to reach me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

One of the women, Pappi, is nineteen and carries a small knife in case she needs to defend herself.

The New Yorker

I think that the best scenario would be that I kind of do a little bit less, but I'm still there in case she needs me.

The New York Times - Arts

She scared them off, but since then she has carried a cane to the park in case she needs a weapon.

The New York Times

He recruits them to his entrapment programme, and falls in love with Sydney, who plays along with a wan erotic languour, in case she needs him at some future juncture.

The Guardian - Film

This is a film in which the charmingly straight-faced heroine has an anvil suspended from a pulley in her garage, just in case she needs to cut the rope and squish anyone who happens to be standing directly beneath it.

Independent

She schedules vacations 10 months in advance to ensure they do not conflict with due dates, and on family outings she and her husband leave their Granbury, Tex., home in separate cars, in case she needs to race to the hospital.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The playwright had promised to leave the stage door open in case she needed to flee.

The New York Times - Arts

The musical numbers included "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life," in case she needed reminding.

The New York Times - Books

She knew how to whip eggs for a blancmange and how to make calf's-foot jelly in case she needed to feed an invalid.

The New York Times - Magazine

She even memorized the phone numbers of all her close friends in case she needed them and didn't have a working phone.

The Washington Post

In case she needed a reminder, Luxembourg's prime minister, Xavier Bettel, had said Brexit was like waiting for Godot "and Godot is never coming".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "in case she needs", ensure that the context clearly indicates what action should be taken or what resources should be available. This avoids ambiguity and ensures preparedness.

Common error

Avoid using "in case she needs" without specifying what 'she' might need. Always provide enough information to make the intention clear; otherwise, the phrase becomes vague and unactionable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in case she needs" functions as an adverbial phrase introducing a condition or reason for a particular action. Ludwig confirms that is commonly used to express precaution or preparedness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in case she needs" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express a state of readiness or precaution for a potential need. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various communications. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its proper usage for indicating preparedness. While the phrase is not exceedingly common, it is well-recognized and easily understood, making it a useful addition to one's vocabulary for expressing contingency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should she need

A more concise and slightly formal inversion expressing contingency.

if she should require

Uses a more formal tone with 'should require' instead of 'needs'.

in the event that she needs

Emphasizes a possible future event necessitating action.

so as to be available if she needs

Emphasizes availability and willingness to assist.

if she happens to need

Adds an element of chance or unexpectedness to the need.

for fear that she might need

Expresses a concern or apprehension about a potential need.

on the off chance she needs

Indicates a remote possibility of her needing something.

just in the possibility she needs

Highlights the uncertainty and possibility of her needing something.

in readiness for her needs

Highlights being prepared and ready to meet her potential needs.

in anticipation of her needs

Focuses on proactively addressing her potential requirements.

FAQs

How can I use "in case she needs" in a sentence?

You can use "in case she needs" to introduce a precautionary measure. For example, "I'll keep my phone on "in case she needs" to reach me."

What are some alternatives to saying "in case she needs"?

Alternatives include phrases like "if she should require", "should she need", or "in the event that she needs", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it better to say "in case she needs" or "in case she needed"?

The choice depends on the context. "In case she needs" refers to a present or future possibility, while "in case she needed" refers to a past situation or a hypothetical scenario.

How does "in case she needs" differ from "if she needs"?

"In case she needs" emphasizes a proactive approach, suggesting preparation for a potential need. "If she needs" is more straightforward, simply stating a condition. The former implies readiness, while the latter is a simple conditional statement.