in case somebody

USAGE SUMMARY

This phrase is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to introduce a clause that follows a conditional statement. For example: "Put a jacket in your bag, just in case somebody in the office has the air conditioning set too cold."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

"They sleep here and take turns running the stand — just in case somebody wants a sandwich".

The New Yorker

"I'm just working as hard as I can, just in case somebody calls me up.

The New York Times - Sports

They wouldn't even let me go outside in case somebody saw me".

The Guardian

When he went back to the Exchange police vans had pulled up, one policeman said, "in case somebody needs help".

The New Yorker

She kept the baby at home for a few days, in case somebody turned up to claim her.

The New Yorker

Just in case somebody in the future wanted to try to revive it, the shutdown left the craft in standby mode.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

In that case somebody else created it, and so —.

TechCrunch

In which case somebody can totally fuck with you.

Vice

In any case somebody used the comments section on Viva La Noticia to link Coleman's girlfriend to the article via Facebook.

Vice

"The message of the song, is when you're dealing with something so deep as losing a friend, or in this case somebody you admire or look up to, talking about some of these fans in the audience, one of the things you can do is reach out to people and offer them community," Shinoda continued.

Huffington Post

In this case, somebody must come at regular intervals to check everything is okay.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in case somebody", ensure the sentence clearly explains the action taken as a precaution. For example: "I saved the document, in case somebody accidentally deletes it."

Common error

Avoid using "in case somebody" when "if someone" is more appropriate and direct. "In case somebody" is best when emphasizing precaution, while "if someone" is suitable for general conditional statements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in case somebody" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a subordinate clause, indicating a conditional situation where an action is taken as a precaution or preparation. As per Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in case somebody" serves as a common and grammatically correct way to introduce a conditional scenario prompting a precautionary action. According to Ludwig AI, its function involves setting up a clause that explains why a certain action is being taken. Predominantly used in "News & Media" and general writing contexts, it is appropriate for neutral registers. Be mindful of potential confusion with similar phrases such as "if someone", where precision in expressing precaution versus general condition is crucial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if someone happens to

Replaces "in case" with a more direct conditional "if" and uses "happens to" to express the possibility of an event.

should someone need to

Emphasizes the hypothetical need of someone for something as the reason for taking action.

if a person should

Formal alternative, replacing "somebody" with "a person" and using "should" to imply a hypothetical situation.

on the chance that someone

Highlights the uncertainty and possibility of an event occurring.

in the event that someone

More formal, indicating preparation for a specific possible occurrence.

just in the possibility of someone

More emphatic in its expression of possibility, adding "possibility of".

lest someone

A more formal and somewhat archaic alternative, implying prevention of something undesirable.

if there is anyone who

Shifts the focus to the existence of "anyone" who might require something, adding a layer of inclusivity.

anticipating someone might

Focuses on the act of anticipating a person's potential action or need.

expecting that someone will

Implies a level of expectation or anticipation of someone performing a certain action.

FAQs

How can I use "in case somebody" in a sentence?

Use "in case somebody" to introduce a situation where you're taking a precautionary action. For example, "I brought an umbrella, "in case somebody" forgets theirs."

What's a more formal alternative to "in case somebody"?

A more formal alternative would be "in the event that someone". For example, "We have a backup generator "in the event that someone" requires emergency power."

Is it correct to say "in case someone" instead of "in case somebody"?

Yes, "in case someone" is also correct and often used interchangeably with "in case somebody". The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific context.

What's the difference between "in case" and "if"?

"In case" implies a precaution or preparation, while "if" introduces a general condition. For example, "Take a map "in case somebody" gets lost" (precaution), vs. "If someone gets lost, use the map" (general condition).