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Hela Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
In case + suppose
Dear teachers,
A/ in case:
There are times when we can use “in case” but not others, why? e.g.
1) We can say: “Don’t call me if you get into trouble!”
Now what does this sentence mean exactly?
a) You can call me any time except when you are in trouble.
b) Don’t call me whatever the circumstances.
2) But we can’t say “Don’t call me in case you get into trouble!” can we?
3) Is the following sentence correct ?
“Don’t call me but in case of trouble” ?
B/ suppose:
1) Can we put a question mark after a question starting with “suppose”?
Suppose something should go wrong ?
2) When to choose between the indicative or a kind of subjunctive after “suppose”? e.g.
a) Suppose he doesn’t / didn't say a word ?
b) Suppose something goes / should go / went wrong ?
Many thanks,
Hela
A/ in case:
There are times when we can use “in case” but not others, why? e.g.
1) We can say: “Don’t call me if you get into trouble!”
Now what does this sentence mean exactly?
a) You can call me any time except when you are in trouble.
b) Don’t call me whatever the circumstances.
2) But we can’t say “Don’t call me in case you get into trouble!” can we?
3) Is the following sentence correct ?
“Don’t call me but in case of trouble” ?
B/ suppose:
1) Can we put a question mark after a question starting with “suppose”?
Suppose something should go wrong ?
2) When to choose between the indicative or a kind of subjunctive after “suppose”? e.g.
a) Suppose he doesn’t / didn't say a word ?
b) Suppose something goes / should go / went wrong ?
Many thanks,
Hela
Top answer
” — this one means "don't call me if this situation occurs: you get into trouble". We can probably assume that if he isn't in trouble, he can call her; but the point of the sentence is to express a (probably jocular) prohibition. ) It would probably be more usual to put a comma after "me".
- ” — this one means "don't call me if this situation occurs: you get into trouble".
- We can probably assume that if he isn't in trouble, he can call her; but the point of the sentence is to express a (probably jocular) prohibition.
- ) It would probably be more usual to put a comma after "me".
- 3) “Don’t call me but in case of trouble” ?
- — this isn't incorrect, but it's unidiomatic.
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7 Answers
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Hello Hela
1) We can say: “Don’t call me if you get into trouble!”
— this one means "don't call me if this situation occurs: you get into trouble". We can probably assume that if he isn't in trouble, he can call her; but the point of the sentence is to express a (probably jocular) prohibition.
2) But we can’t say “Don’t call me in case you get into troubl
1) We can say: “Don’t call me if you get into trouble!”
— this one means "don't call me if this situation occurs: you get into trouble". We can probably assume that if he isn't in trouble, he can call her; but the point of the sentence is to express a (probably jocular) prohibition.
2) But we can’t say “Don’t call me in case you get into troubl
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Dear MrP,
Thank you so much for your help, you're an angel!
Tell me, is this use of in case in the following sentence a shortened form of "or in that case" = "otherwise" ?
“Don’t call me, in case you get into trouble!”
Have a nice weekend,
Hela
Thank you so much for your help, you're an angel!
Tell me, is this use of in case in the following sentence a shortened form of "or in that case" = "otherwise" ?
“Don’t call me, in case you get into trouble!”
Have a nice weekend,
Hela
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Hi,
(3) Don’t call me in case you get into trouble!” --Here, I interpret "in case" as "if". So, it seems to me that both (1) and (2) mean same.
(3) Don’t call me in case you get into trouble!” --Here, I interpret "in case" as "if". So, it seems to me that both (1) and (2) mean same.
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HelaDear MrP,Hello Hela
Thank you so much for your help, you're an angel!
Tell me, is this use of in case in the following sentence a shortened form of "or in that case" = "otherwise" ?
“Don’t call me, in case you get into trouble!”
Have a nice weekend,
Hela
This use
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Good morning MrP,
Pending your answer on the "origins" of "in case" in the above sentence, here is another question.
Pending your answer on the "origins" of "in case" in the above sentence, here is another question.
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Hello Hela
1. Don't call me, otherwise you'll get into trouble.
2. Don't call me, lest you get into trouble.
In #1, the speaker makes a negative prediction, which serves as a warning, i.e.
3. "Don't do X – otherwise (i.e. by doing X), Y will happen."
In #2, the speaker gives a warning in the form of a positive prediction. "Lest" is a contraction of OE
1. Don't call me, otherwise you'll get into trouble.
2. Don't call me, lest you get into trouble.
In #1, the speaker makes a negative prediction, which serves as a warning, i.e.
3. "Don't do X – otherwise (i.e. by doing X), Y will happen."
In #2, the speaker gives a warning in the form of a positive prediction. "Lest" is a contraction of OE
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