Preparing for the unexpected
When you want to say "just in case" to describe taking a precaution, use por si or por si acaso.
Even though these phrases describe a hypothetical situation, they are followed by the indicative, never the subjunctive.
For present or future precautions, use por si or por si acaso with the present indicative.
| The airtight box is useful just in case it rains. | La caja hermética es útil por si acaso llueve. |
| The water purifier is essential just in case we become isolated. | El purificador de agua es esencial por si nos quedamos incomunicados. |
| I quickly bought some additional rations just in case food runs low. | Compré rápidamente unas raciones adicionales por si la comida escasea. |
Past precautions
If you took a precaution in the past, follow por si or por si acaso with the imperfect indicative.
| He carefully stored the rations just in case the hurricane arrived. | Él almacenó cuidadosamente las raciones por si llegaba el huracán. |
| The flare was essential just in case they didn't see us. | La bengala era esencial por si no nos veían. |
| They had already organized the pantry just in case they needed to stay in the basement. | Ellos ya habían organizado la despensa por si acaso necesitaban quedarse en el sótano. |
Standalone "just in case"
Just like in English, you don't always need to state exactly what you are preparing for if it's already understood. Use por si acaso (but never just por si) on its own at the end of a sentence.
| Even though we have electricity, I bought the radio and the lighter just in case. | Aunque tenemos electricidad, compré la radio y el encendedor por si acaso. |
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