the case in which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the case in which" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a specific situation or example that illustrates a point being made. Example: "This is the case in which the new policy will have the most significant impact on employee productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The case in which they succeeded was in Arizona.

The New York Times

And this was the case in which officers were punished.

The New York Times

Usually the latter is the case, in which case, fine.

The New Yorker

We contrast the minimal disclosure setting with the case in which all bids are public, and the case in which only the winner's bids are public.

Yale University

In the case in which he matches 1 he makes a net profit of 1.50.

Yale University

The case, in which Amaral denies defamation, is expected to finish hearing evidence in November.

The Guardian

Then there was the case in which MI5 tapped a journalist's phone.

The Guardian

The case in which Mr. Chiluba was acquitted Monday involved another set of expenditures.

The New York Times

Fleury was not part of the case in which James was convicted, Kennedy and Fleury said.

The New York Times - Sports

The case in which two modes interact with each other and the case in which the plate is influenced by an out-of-plane shear effect are considered.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

The case, in which a customer alleged mismanagement of her account in 2004, was denied.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the case in which" to clearly introduce a specific instance or example to support your argument or explanation. This phrase is particularly effective in academic and formal writing where precision is valued.

Common error

Avoid using "the case in which" excessively in casual writing. Simpler alternatives like "when" or "where" can often convey the same meaning more naturally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the case in which" functions as a relative clause introducer. It sets the stage for a more detailed explanation or analysis of a particular situation or example. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's commonly used to provide context or introduce a specific instance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

28%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the case in which" is a versatile phrase used to introduce specific scenarios or conditions. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, according to Ludwig AI, it's more suited for formal and academic writing. Simpler alternatives like "when" or "where" may be preferable in informal contexts. The analysis of usage patterns reveals its frequent presence in scientific, news media, and academic sources. Being aware of these nuances helps writers effectively employ the phrase to enhance clarity and precision in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the instance where

Replaces "case" with "instance", slightly changing the focus to a particular occurrence.

the situation in which

Substitutes "case" with "situation", emphasizing the circumstances surrounding the event.

the scenario where

Replaces "case" with "scenario", focusing on a hypothetical or projected situation.

in circumstances where

Rephrases to highlight the specific conditions under which something happens.

under conditions where

Similar to "in circumstances where", but with a slightly more formal tone.

the event in which

Focuses on a particular event rather than a general case.

the time when

Shifts the focus to a specific point in time related to the event.

a situation where

Uses a more general phrasing compared to "the situation in which".

an instance when

Similar to "the instance where", but less specific.

when

Simplifies the phrase to a single-word conjunction, useful for brevity.

FAQs

How can I use "the case in which" in a sentence?

Use "the case in which" to introduce a specific situation or example. For instance, "This is the case in which the policy change will be most effective."

What are some alternatives to "the case in which"?

Alternatives include "the situation where", "the instance when", or simply "when" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "the case in which" or "in the case of"?

"The case in which" is used to introduce a specific scenario, while "in the case of" is used to refer to a general possibility. Choose the phrase that best fits the context of your sentence.

When is it appropriate to use "the case in which" in writing?

It's appropriate in formal and academic writing where you need to clearly define a specific situation. In more casual writing, simpler alternatives may be preferable.