in case when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in case when" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to provide a contingency for a specific outcome or situation. For example, "I will only accept this job offer in case when I receive a higher salary."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She offers a clarification, just in case: "When you're lost and I'm scared and you're turning away".

The New Yorker

Doctors in the United States often cite pressure from patients as the reason for prescribing an antibiotic "just in case" when the source of an upper respiratory infection cannot be precisely determined.

The New York Times - Health

But then had they asked us to stay around Sunday, Monday just in case, when they are evacuating everybody else, that was kind of an interesting topic and one I wasn't sure how they would handle".

The New York Times - Sports

Now the baseejis are on alert in case, when the students do return later this month, they take their chance once more to express their disaffection in public.In this section Could a police state return?

The Economist

Secondly, in case when no or little prior information is available, elicitation of hyperparameters is given.

Alexandria Engineering Journal

In case when are all -spaces, Theorem 6.3 reduces to Tarafdar [58, Theorem 2.3].

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

It increase frequency and voltage in case when the load changes and the system becomes overloaded.

EURASIP Journal on Embedded Systems

In case when ψ ∈ Ψ is strictly increasing, generalized -contractive is called strictly generalized -contractive.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

The mechanism that implements efficient allocation as Nash equilibrium in case when utility is transferable among agents is offered.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

In case when ψ ∈ Ψ is strictly increasing, the -contractive mapping is called a strictly -contractive mapping.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

In case when node has destination as a current neighbor, the packet is forwarded to node with probability "1".

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically correct, consider using simpler alternatives like "if" or "when" for improved clarity and conciseness in your writing. This can make your sentences easier to understand.

Common error

Avoid using "in case when" in situations where "if" or "when" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Choose the simplest and most direct phrasing possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in case when" functions as a conditional conjunction, introducing a clause that specifies a condition under which something else may occur. It indicates a precautionary measure or a contingency plan, as evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

72%

News & Media

26%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in case when" is grammatically correct and functions as a conditional conjunction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's valid but often replaceable with simpler alternatives like "if" or "when" for conciseness. While mostly neutral, the phrase is frequently found in scientific and news contexts, as shown by Ludwig's examples. For improved writing, it's best to avoid redundancy and opt for straightforward phrasing, unless you specifically need the tone given by the phrase "in case when".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if

Offers a shorter and more direct way to introduce a conditional clause.

in the event that

Presents a more formal alternative, suitable for legal or official contexts.

should it happen that

Introduces a hypothetical situation, often used for emphasis or formality.

if and when

Highlights the uncertainty of the condition, emphasizing that it may or may not occur.

on the occasion that

Specifies a particular circumstance where the condition applies.

when and if

Similar to "if and when", stressing the potential for a future event.

assuming that

Indicates that the following statement is based on a specific assumption.

provided that

Sets a specific condition that must be met for something else to happen.

contingent on

Emphasizes the dependence of an outcome on a specific condition.

depending on whether

Highlights the uncertainty of a condition being met.

FAQs

Is "in case when" grammatically correct?

Yes, "in case when" is grammatically correct, although it's often more concise and clear to simply use "if" or "when" depending on the context. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

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

"If" is generally a more straightforward and concise way to express a condition. While "in case when" is acceptable, "if" often provides a more direct alternative. For example, instead of saying "I'll bring an umbrella in case when it rains", you can say "I'll bring an umbrella "if it rains"".

Can I use "in case that" instead of "in case when"?

The phrase "in case that" is more commonly used than "in case when". Both are grammatically correct, but "in case that" might sound more natural to some readers. Keep in mind that there are multiple options, it's up to the writer to choose which one is better and fits the general language tone.

What are some alternatives to "in case when" for formal writing?

For formal writing, consider using phrases like "in the event that", "should it happen that", or "on the occasion that" as more sophisticated alternatives. These options provide a more elevated tone compared to the more direct alternatives, like "if".