In case of: en cas de
To state a condition quickly and efficiently, you can use the phrase en cas de (in case of) followed directly by a noun. This allows you to set up a scenario without needing a full clause with a subject and a verb.
Remember that de becomes d' before a vowel or a mute h.
| In case of a break-in, the system gives the alert. | En cas d'effraction, le système donne l'alerte. |
| In case of a flood, this sensor will alert the owner. | En cas d'inondation, ce capteur va alerter le propriétaire. |
You can place the en cas de phrase at the beginning of the sentence to set the scene, or at the end.
| What is the protocol in case of a flood? | Quel est le protocole en cas d'inondation ? |
Home security and emergencies
This grammar structure is especially useful for discussing emergency preparations, protocols, and home security systems. You will often see it paired with vocabulary like le capteur (the sensor), le détecteur (the detector), and le boîtier (the control box).
| In case of a break-in, there is a control box that warns the police. | En cas d'effraction, il y a un boîtier qui prévient la police. |
| In case of a gas leak, you must follow the protocol. | En cas de fuite de gaz, vous devez suivre le protocole. |
| In case of a break-in, the sensor alerts the police. | En cas d'effraction, le capteur alerte la police. |
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