grammar

[Andi Scharfstein]

Hi,

> On the other hand, "in case" _by_itself_ is very different indeed.
> It is one of those phrases that has obtained its own unique meaning,
> mostly used in the form "In case..., do ...", sometimes "Do ... in
> case ...", and always used to state a precaution. [...]

I think that this might pose an explanation as to why people who
learned English only as a second language might have problems with
that construction. I, for one, didn't know of said distinction until
encountering this thread. I also spoke with a few people today, two of
which had spent a year in the US. They all agreed that the meaning of
"In case X, do Y" (that's what I asked, verbatim) was "If X occurs, do
Y", so it's not just me.

-- 
Bye: Andi S.                          mailto:nullpointer at myrealbox.com