in what case

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in what case" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you are asking for clarification about a situation or scenario. For example: "I don't understand why you made that decision. In what case did you think that was the best option?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Policy fights, partnerships and perseverance will be crucial in what Case calls the third wave of start-ups. .

Los Angeles Times

An obvious question now arises: in what case can this modified approach work and how should the specific individual re-sampling intervals be adequately chosen?

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In what cases does a sharp increase in voter turnout warrant suspicion?

The Economist

And you have prosecutors who have wide discretion in what cases to bring, what charges to call for, and what sentences to agree to in plea bargains".

The New Yorker

For the first two cases, we establish tight complexity results on the problem, and show in what cases it is decidable.

Artificial Intelligence

After determining the energy consumed by each routine for each execution scope, we identified in what cases it is convenient to reallocate the processing job, and when it is advisable to offload it to an external execution environment.

Sustainable Computing: Informatics and Systems

In what cases can a majority turn against the power that another majority has elected?

Huffington Post

In what cases can a minority refuse the rule of the majority?

Huffington Post

[former U.S. Attorney Joseph ] DiGenovasaid the office is biased and hypocritical in what cases they picked to criticize.

Huffington Post

The law vests so much discretion in the prosecutor... in what cases they will file and what cases they will settle.

Los Angeles Times

In what cases shall we excise?

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in what case" to directly inquire about the specific circumstances or conditions under which a statement or action is valid. Ensure the context makes it clear what you are asking about.

Common error

While "in what case" is grammatically correct, it may sound slightly formal in casual conversation. In informal settings, consider using alternatives like "when" or "how" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in what case" functions as an interrogative adverbial phrase, introducing a question that seeks to identify the specific circumstances or conditions under which a statement or action is applicable. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

67%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in what case" is a grammatically correct and useful interrogative phrase for inquiring about specific circumstances or conditions. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is well-suited for formal contexts. The usage analysis shows it appears primarily in scientific and news domains. While less common in everyday conversation, understanding its correct usage and suitable alternatives, such as "under what circumstances", allows for more precise and effective communication. Remember to consider the level of formality when choosing between "in what case" and its more casual alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under what circumstances

More formal and emphasizes the specific conditions.

under what condition

Singular form, emphasizes a single condition.

in what circumstances

Plural form, emphasizes multiple circumstances.

in which situation

Focuses on the specific scenario or situation.

when is it appropriate

Highlights the appropriateness of an action or decision.

when does this apply

Focuses on the applicability or relevance.

on what condition

Emphasizes the requirement or prerequisite.

in what scenario

Focuses on a hypothetical sequence of events.

given what situation

Highlights a situation that is pre-existing.

if so, under what terms

Emphasizes the specific parameters if something occurs.

FAQs

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

The phrase "in what case" is used to ask under which specific circumstances something is true or should be done. For instance: "In what case should I contact the emergency services?"

What phrases are similar to "in what case"?

Similar phrases include "under what circumstances", "in which situation", and "when is it appropriate". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "in what case" or "in what cases"?

The singular form, "in what case", is used when referring to a general situation or condition. The plural form, "in what cases", is used when referring to multiple specific instances or scenarios. Therefore, use "in what cases" when exploring different situations.

When is it appropriate to use "in what case" in formal writing?

The phrase "in what case" is appropriate in formal writing when you need to precisely identify the conditions under which a statement is valid or an action should be taken. Ensure your writing calls for this kind of direct question or condition.