when and how I use: "if or in case"
Hey folks help me please... At my last English class, my friends and I got confused, about the difference between "if" and " "in case"...
The teacher gave some exemples, but we still with doubts...
like:
1) I´ll take some sandwiches IN CASE I get hungry (but why I cann´t use IF ''?
2) You´ll need some warm clothes IF you go in november. (again why I can not use "in case")
Thanks guys !!!
8 Answers
1) I´ll take some sandwiches IN CASE I get hungry (but why I cann´t use IF ''?
2) You´ll need some warm clothes IF you go in november. (again why I can not use "in case")
I´ll take some sandwiches IN CASE I get hungry
Voy a llevar unos emparedados POR SI me entra hambre.
Si cambias "in case" por "si", tienes:
Voy a llevar unos emparedados si me entra hambre.
Con un significado distinto.
I do not know the difference in Spanish between "en caso" and "tambien" Can you explain it?
Can you supply a sentence? I don't understand the question.
También is also, as well
en caso: in case that....if....
I think your teacher was trying to teach a very subtle difference. I believe it exists in Spanish also. For almost all purposes in case and if can be used as meaning the same. However, "if" may imply more immediacy. The only way to learn the difference is through a lot of reading and talking. I do not know the difference in Spanish between "en caso" and "tambien" Can you explain it'
Andre y el porfi, if se traduce como si, in case= por si acaso
If it rains I will get wet. Si llueve me mojo.
In case it rains I will take an umbrella. Por si acaso llueve me llevo...
You use "in case" when you are going to do something whether you may need to or not, just to be safe. There is a possibilty of something happening so you want to be prepared.
I'll take some sandwiches in case I get hungry.
You're saying "I'm not hungry right now, but I am taking sandwiches anyway. I may get hungry later and I'll be prepared."
You use "if" when you will only take the action as a result of something else or under certain conditions.
I'll take some sandwiches if I get hungry.
Doesn't make too much sense. You take the sandwiches only when you get hungry.
You'll need some warm clothes in case you go in November.
Doesn't make much sense unless you don't know how long your stay will be and there is a possibility your trip could last all the way to November. You bring warm clothes whether you need them or not.
You'll need some warm clothes if you go in November.
You go in November. You need warm clothes.
That's a more difficult example because you will need warm clothes in December too :p
But..You will not need warm clothes if you go in June.
You go in November. You need warm clothes.
You go in June. You won't need warm clothes. You might decide to bring them "in case" you go to a nice restaurant that could possibly be a bit cold inside. Haha. Hope I didn't confuse you.
Basically, when you use "in case" you're doing something as a precaution, security, or insurance.
You may be able to replace if with "when" to get the idea.
You'll need some warm clothes when you go in November. Same as before, You're going in November. You need warm clothes.
You'll get wet if it rains.
You'll get wet when it rains.
You'll understand it better if you practice a lot.
You'll understand it better when you practice a lot.
Again, when you use "if" it happens only as a result of something else. Hope that helps.
Woow nice, thanks a lot 
i always use "if" in al my sentences and never explain the possibility :O
that explain why im fail on my english test >_>
These are easy words to have doubts about. For me, English is my mother tongue. Some of what I say is done automatically (or auto-magically) without thought for what is coming into my head and out my mouth.
Let's look at your 1st sentence. How would I express the sentence by using the word 'if'? Well, like this:
IF I get hungry, I'll take some sandwiches.
I have turned the sentence around so that, to me, the use of 'if? makes more sense. I'm also saying by implication, 'I will not take sandwiches unless I am hungry.? As you have written it, I infer from your statement that you will only need or eat the food if, as and when you get hungry. To me, if someone said
'I'll take some sandwiches IF I get hungry',
they have not timed things properly. They are saying, 'I'll go, and if I get hungry along the way, I'll take some food.? Well, they are already underway, how are they going to get those sandwiches'?
As for your 2nd sentence, things are more difficult to explain. To my ear, whether you say:
You´ll need some warm clothes IF you go in november.
Or in the alternative,
You´ll need some warm clothes IN CASE you go in november.
There is no difference. Either is acceptable. The only thing is a native English speaker is unlikely to say it the second way. This is because it just doesn't have the right sound, or gut feel, or 'ring? to it. Anglophones love to take the shortest path to speaking, and, 'if? is shorter than 'in case'. Otherwise, the only interpretation difference I can see is this:
Where 'IF? is used, you will definitely need to take those warm clothes in the event that you go in November.
Where 'IN CASE? is used you better have those warm clothes on stand-by here just in the event your trip occurs in November and then you will need to take them.
It's a very small difference, but the implications are slightly different as between the two sentences.
I don't know how your English teacher explained things to you. Based on the examples you used, it is easier to explain the 1st example than it is to explain the 2nd example.
I have also looked at Robert Austin's reply and I do not disagree with it in any way.
I hope between the two of us we have not just continued to befuddle you.
Hey folks help me please... During my last English class, my friends and I got confused about the difference between "if" and "in case"...
The teacher gave us some exemples, but we still have doubts...
like:
1) I´ll take some sandwiches IN CASE I get hungry (but why can't I use IF ''?
2) You´ll need some warm clothes IF you go in november. (again why can't I use "in case")
Thanks guys !!!
"If" here describes a possible situation and its result.
If it rains, I will get wet
If I finish early, I will go to the party
If John doesn't arrive, we will leave without him
"In case" describes a possible situation and measures taken to PREVENT that situation.
I will take my umbrella in case it rains
I will take some sandwiches in case I get hungry
John will take sun cream in case there is a lot of sun
These last three sentences represent measures taken against rain, hunger and too much sun.
