sentence

[Anonymous]

Why is it correct to say:

Take this umbrella just in case it rains.

and not:

Take this umbrella just in case it will rain.

:?:

THX Kami :?

[Pete]

Why is it correct to say:

Take this umbrella just in case it rains.

and not:

Take this umbrella just in case it will rain.

:?:

THX Kami :?
The rule seems to be: use the present tense in a subordinate clause of condition or time when the main clause refers to a future time.

If the question is "why is that the rule", one answer is simply that this is what speakers of English do. Some linguists suggest that it continues a grammatical structure that dates back to the time when English did not use words like "will" or "shall" to indicate future, and this usage of the present in subordinate clauses never changed.

[Rusty]

Why is it correct to say:

Take this umbrella just in case it rains.

and not:

Take this umbrella just in case it will rain.

:?:

THX Kami :?
The rule seems to be: use the present tense in a subordinate clause of condition or time when the main clause refers to a future time.

If the question is "why is that the rule", one answer is simply that this is what speakers of English do. Some linguists suggest that it continues a grammatical structure that dates back to the time when English did not use words like "will" or "shall" to indicate future, and this usage of the present in subordinate clauses never changed.


Hi: I was working on this at the same time as Pete. I'll add my comments as well.

I have not been able to find any "authoritative statement,"so this is my own analysis.
Take your umbrella in case it rains.
In case means "if this should happen."
Example: You will need your umbrella if it rains.
In case is treated as a conditional if-clause.
The verb in the main clause is future tense; the verb in the if-clause is in the present tense.
The rule seems to be the same for the imperative verb in the main clause.
Take your umbrella (main) in case it rains (present tense, as in an if-clause).

[Francis]

@Pete & Rusty: Thanks to both of you :wink: , everything is clear :idea: now.

Francis