English grammar
Precautions: in case + past simple (looking back), in case… should (careful), so as not to + verb
Take precautions, now and in the past: in case…, in case… should…, so as not to….
From the scene In case she sees it
In short
Precautions: in case + present now, in case + past looking back, and so as not to + verb.
Your turn
Which one goes with a precaution in the past: in case + past?
Options: I hid them in case Nuria found them · close the door in case Nuria sees it · in case they should get it wrong
Show answer
a precaution in the past: in case + past → I hid them in case Nuria found them
How it works
You know in case + present simple (never will). Looking back at a precaution, move it to the past: I hid them in case she found them.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Shh! Close the door, in case Nuria (blank) it.
Options: sees · will see · would see
Show answer
Shh! Close the door, in case Nuria sees it.
¡Chist! Cierre la puerta, no vaya a ser que lo vea Nuria.
Good to know
In case + should makes the risk sound less likely and more careful: in case they should get it wrong.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
I hid them here, in case Nuria (blank) them at the house.
Options: will find · would have found · found
Show answer
I hid them here, in case Nuria found them at the house.
Las escondí aquí, no fuera que Nuria las encontrara en la casa.
Good to know
So as not to + verb gives the precaution as a purpose when the subject stays the same: tie it up so as not to lose it.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Then tie it up well, so (blank) not to lose it with the harvest.
Options: that · for · as
Show answer
Then tie it up well, so as not to lose it with the harvest.
Pues átalo bien, no sea que se lo lleven con la cosecha.
a precaution now: in case + present close the door in case Nuria sees it
a precaution in the past: in case + past I hid them in case Nuria found them
Your turn
What goes with I hid them in case Nuria found them?
Options: a precaution in the past: in case + past · a precaution now: in case + present · careful style: in case + should
Show answer
I hid them in case Nuria found them → a precaution in the past: in case + past
careful style: in case + should in case they should get it wrong
a precaution as a purpose: so as not to tie it up so as not to lose it
Your turn
What goes with tie it up so as not to lose it?
Options: a precaution now: in case + present · a precaution in the past: in case + past · a precaution as a purpose: so as not to
Show answer
tie it up so as not to lose it → a precaution as a purpose: so as not to
warning someone: in case + present not a word, in case it slips out
Javi
I'll give them to her at the party. And you, not a word, in case it slips out.
Se las doy en la fiesta. Y usted, ni una palabra, no sea que se le escape.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
I'll give them to her at the party. And you, (blank).
Options: not a word, in case it slips out · close the door in case Nuria sees it · I hid them in case Nuria found them
Show answer
Javi
I'll give them to her at the party. And you, not a word, in case it slips out.
Se las doy en la fiesta. Y usted, ni una palabra, no sea que se le escape.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| a precaution now: in case + present | close the door in case Nuria sees it |
|---|---|
| a precaution in the past: in case + past | I hid them in case Nuria found them |
| careful style: in case + should | in case they should get it wrong |
| a precaution as a purpose: so as not to | tie it up so as not to lose it |
| warning someone: in case + present | not a word, in case it slips out |
More lines from the story
- JaviShh! Close the door, in case Nuria sees it.¡Chist! Cierre la puerta, no vaya a ser que lo vea Nuria.
- JaviI hid them here, in case Nuria found them at the house.Las escondí aquí, no fuera que Nuria las encontrara en la casa.
- ElenaThen tie it up well, so as not to lose it with the harvest.Pues átalo bien, no sea que se lo lleven con la cosecha.
- JaviAnd the wedding date: the sixth of January. It is a surprise.Y con la fecha de la boda: seis de enero. Es una sorpresa.
- ElenaTomás? Hello, dear! Nothing, nothing... What are you doing on January the sixth?¿Tomás? ¡Hola, hijo! Nada, nada... ¿Qué haces el seis de enero?