Practice
In case of or in the case of: which phrase fits?
A notice says, In case of fire, use the stairs. A manager says, In the case of the late delivery, we will contact the customer. The first phrase prepares for a possible event. The second points to one matter the manager is discussing.
Use in case of before a possible event or in an instruction, and use in the case of when you mean a particular person, thing, or situation being considered.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
in case of an emergency /ɪn keɪs əv ən ɪˈmɜrdʒənsi/
The short answer
Choose in case of when the meaning is if something happens: in case of rain or in case of an emergency. Choose in the case of when you are considering one specific situation: in the case of this application or in the case of a damaged item.
In case of a power outage, the building uses emergency lights.
Why it works: A power outage is a possible event, so the instruction uses in case of.
5 more examples
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In case of fire, leave the building by the nearest exit.
Fire is a possible emergency, so the sentence gives an instruction for that event.
Not this:
In the case of the fire report, the inspector needs more photographs. What changes: The sentence discusses one report, not what people should do if a fire happens. -
Keep the receipt in case of a return.
A return may happen later, so this phrase prepares for that possibility.
Not this:
In the case of this return, the store approved an exchange. What changes: This return is a particular matter that the sentence discusses. -
Call the support line in case of a technical problem.
The instruction tells the reader what to do if a problem occurs.
Not this:
In the case of the technical problem reported yesterday, the team found the cause. What changes: The technical problem is already identified, so the sentence considers that one problem. -
Bring a jacket in case of cold weather.
Cold weather is a possible condition, so the speaker is preparing for it.
Not this:
In the case of winter clothing, the company uses recycled fabric. What changes: The phrase introduces one product category that the sentence describes. -
In case it rains, the event will move indoors.
Without of, in case can be followed by a clause about a possible event.
Not this:
In the case of rain, the event will move indoors. What changes: This is grammatical, but a routine plan for possible rain usually uses in case of rain.
Read the full guide
First decide whether the sentence prepares for an event that could happen or discusses one defined matter. A possible event takes in case of. A particular matter under discussion takes in the case of. Then check the words after of: both phrases need a noun phrase, such as rain, an emergency, or this complaint.
Use in case of for a possible event
Use in case of when you mean if something happens. The event has not happened yet. The phrase often appears in notices, safety guidance, and practical plans.
In case of an emergency, call the number on the notice.
An emergency is a possible event, so the instruction prepares for it with in case of.
Complete the notice: ___ a storm, stay inside the building.
Use in case of: In case of a storm, stay inside the building.
Use in the case of for one matter
Use in the case of when the sentence considers one specific person, object, event, or category. The phrase often means with regard to that matter.
In the case of this customer, the account needs a new address.
This customer is the particular person the sentence is discussing.
Choose the phrase for a report about one identified complaint.
Use in the case of the complaint because the sentence examines that particular complaint.
Look for a possible event or a named matter
Ask a simple question. Does the sentence tell someone what to do if an event occurs? Choose in case of. Does it describe a matter already identified or a category being examined? Choose in the case of.
In case of delay, send us a message.
The message is a response to a possible delay, not a discussion of one known delay.
Which phrase fits a sentence about the details of one delayed shipment?
Use in the case of the delayed shipment because the shipment is the matter being discussed.
Use a noun phrase after of
After in case of and in the case of, use a noun or noun phrase. Say in case of rain or in the case of the new schedule. Do not put a complete clause after of.
In case of rain, the game will be canceled.
Rain is a noun. To use a clause, remove of: In case it rains, the game will be canceled.
Correct the phrase: in case of it rains.
Write in case it rains, or write in case of rain.
Choose the direct form for instructions
When a notice gives a simple response to a possible problem, in case of is usually the direct choice. In the case of can sound as if the writer is sorting several matters in a report or analysis.
In case of illness, tell your supervisor before the shift starts.
The sentence gives a practical instruction for a possible event, so it uses in case of.
Choose the phrase for a label beside a first-aid kit.
Use in case of an emergency because the label prepares for an emergency that may happen.
Before you go
Remember this
Use in case of for a possible event, often in an instruction: in case of fire. Use in the case of for a particular matter under discussion: in the case of this request. After either phrase, use a noun phrase. Use in case without of when a following clause names the possible event.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "In case of or in the case of: which phrase fits?"
What does in case of mean?
In case of means if a particular event happens. Use it before a noun phrase when you are preparing for a possible problem, condition, or emergency. For example, keep a contact number available in case of an unexpected change.
In case of fire, leave the building by the nearest exit.
What does in the case of mean?
In the case of means with regard to a particular person, thing, situation, or category. It introduces a matter that the speaker or writer wants to discuss separately. For example, in the case of the new policy, staff members need more information.
In the case of the fire report, the inspector needs more photographs.
Can I use in case of before a full clause?
No. After in case of, use a noun phrase such as rain, an emergency, or a schedule change. Before a full clause, remove of: say in case the meeting ends late, not in case of the meeting ends late.
Keep the receipt in case of a return.
Is in the case of rain always wrong?
No. It can be grammatical when a writer treats rain as one condition in a discussion or analysis. In a simple plan or instruction for possible weather, in case of rain is usually more direct because it means if rain happens.
In the case of this return, the store approved an exchange.
How can I choose between the two phrases quickly?
Ask whether the sentence prepares for something that may happen or discusses a particular matter. Choose in case of for the possible event. Choose in the case of for the particular matter. Then make sure the words after of form a noun phrase.
Call the support line in case of a technical problem.