in case用作连词时有以下两个用法:
1. 表示条件,意为“如果”“万一”。如:
In case it rains, do not expect me. 如果下雨,就不要等我了。
In case you see him, ask him about it. 如果你见着他,问问他这事。
In case I forget, please remind me of my promise. 如果我忘了,请提醒我我的诺言。
In case he arrives before I get back, please ask him to wait. 如果他在我回来之前到,请让他等等我。
2. 表示目的,意为“以防”“生怕”。如:
I’m shy of buying shares in case I lose money. 我不敢买股票,怕赔钱。
Take warm clothes in case the weather is cold. 带些暖和的衣服,以防天气变冷。
I’ll keep a seat for you in case you should change your mind. 我给你留一个座位,以防你会改变主意。
We took our swimming things in case we happened to find a pool. 我们带上游泳用品,以备万一能找到一个水池。
注:有时中间的谓语由 should构成,强调偶然性,可译为“万一”:
I wrote down her address in case I should forget it. 我写下了她的地址,以防万一我忘了。
I always slept by the phone in case he should ring during the night. 我总是睡在电话机旁边,怕万一他夜间打电话来。