Languages › French Au Cas Où - French Expression Explained Print Loungepark / Getty Images French Vocabulary Pronunciation & Conversation Grammar Resources For Teachers By ThoughtCo Team Updated on March 06, 2017 The French expression Au cas où (pronounced [o ka oo], note that there is no liaison between cas and où) literally translates to "in the case where" Explanation and Examples 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. 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 oùdes fois quepour le cas où For the informal au cas où at the end of a sentence: à tout hasardpour le cas où Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Team, ThoughtCo. "Au Cas Où - French Expression Explained." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/au-cas-ou-1371095. Team, ThoughtCo. (2023, April 5). Au Cas Où - French Expression Explained. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/au-cas-ou-1371095 Team, ThoughtCo. "Au Cas Où - French Expression Explained." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/au-cas-ou-1371095 (accessed April 26, 2024). copy citation