Au cas où is a commonly used French expression meaning “just in case”. Students often mistakenly pronounce the S in cas (case). This is wrong as the S is silent. Hence, [ka].

Au cas où

just in case

Au cas où

Example sentences

J’ai toujours un sac de couchage dans la voiture au cas où.

I always have a sleeping bag in the car, just in case.

Apporte un parapluie, au cas où.

Bring an umbrella, just in case.

Note that in this sentence, the expression au cas où is followed by the conditional tense.

Prends un blouson au cas où il ferait frais.

Take a jacket just in case it’s cook out.

Related lessons

• Conditional tense
• Prendre – to take
• Voiture – car
• Toujours – always

French expressions | Lessons by David Issokson

David Issokson

David Issokson is a lifelong language learner and speaks over seven languages. Of all the languages he speaks, he's the most passionate about French! David has helped hundreds of students to improve their French in his private lessons. When not teaching or writing his French Word of the Day lessons, David enjoys his time skiing, hiking and mountain biking in Victor, Idaho.

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