Au cas où

Expression: Au cas où

Pronunciation: [o ka oo]
Note that there is no liaison between cas and où - see forbidden liaisons, part I.

Meaning: just in case

Literal translation: in the case where


Notes: The French expression au cas où is exactly equivalent to "(just) in case" in English. You can use it in front of a subject plus verb in the conditional, in which case its register is normal to formal. The more interesting - and informal - usage is when it's tacked on to the end of a sentence. If you don't already use au cas où regularly, you soon will.


Examples

   Au cas où il rentrerait avant nous, je vais lui laisser un mot.
   (Just) in case he gets home before us, I'm going to leave him a note.

   Apporte un parapluie, au cas où il pleuvrait.
   Bring an umbrella, (just) in case it rains.

   Apporte un blouson, au cas où.
   Bring a jacket, just in case.


Synonymous expressions

> For au cas où + conditional:

   dans le cas où
   des fois que
   pour le cas où

> For the informal au cas où at the end of a sentence:

   à tout hasard
   pour le cas où

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More: Expressions with à | Most common French phrases