❓'When', 'if' and 'in case' - Improve your English with Learners' Questions

Learn how to use 'when', 'if' and 'in case' correctly in conditional sentences as Dan answers this BBC Learning English learner's question.

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Transcript
Hi guys! Dan for BBC Learning English here with this week's Learner Question. Find out what it is after this.

OK! This week's Learner Question comes from Honza from the Czech Republic, who writes: what is the difference between the use of when and if in all types of conditional sentences? And Trung from Vietnam, who writes: would you please explain to me the differences in use between in case and if? It’s a double learner question. you’re getting value for money now aren’t you? OK, guys – pay attention.

So, we use when for things that are certain to happen in the future. For example, I’ll give you a ring when I get home from work. Now note that although the time reference is clearly in the future, we use the present tense in the when clause.

We use if for things that may or may not happen, or that we’re not certain about. For example, if I decide to come to London this year, I’ll give you a call.

Now in all of these examples we’re talking about future conditions and whether we use when or if depends upon the certainty of things happening in our opinion. However, when and if are interchangeable when we’re talking about things in general. And in this case if can mean whenever. For example, I keep the air-conditioning on at night if, when, or whenever the temperature goes above 30 degrees. Did you get it?

We use in case to talk about taking precautions. That means doing something because something else might happen. For example, I’ve brought some candles in case there’s a power cut. When we use in case, we’re describing possible future situations, but when we use if, we’re talking about conditions that might apply. Compare the difference: I’ll fill up the car with petrol in case you need to go to Brighton. That means, I’ll fill up the car now and you might go later. However, I’ll fill up the car with petrol if you need to go to Brighton means tell me that you’re going to Brighton and then I’ll fill up the car.

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[jayamohan]

Thanks for explaining so nicely. Den is a great teacher.

[gulnozasalimova]

I liked you this lesson, l learned useful thing, thanks.

[girumbirhanu]

please teach us the diffrence between make and let from ethiopia thank you

[ilinilina]

Thank you a lot for the wonderful lessons

[hailinhtran]

Dear teacher,
I like your lessons, thank you so much! And i dont like the way you use your finger TT___TT, i imagine you are sticking it into my eyes.
Thankyou and best regards,

[sacuki]

It supposed to be an epic end - throwing the paper, but actually it seemed quite awkward. Don't do this again :D
P.S.: And thanks for explaining, it was very informative!

[farihatabassum]

could you please give me some example sentences using "in case" ??

[رهفالحربي-عو]

I was looking for someone named ^^^Alice^^^ who told me about this site but now I do not know where she is😢😢

[harveysp]

Very usefull except throwing the paper away!

[ethanlinton]

please put if you speak in England English or american English so can one know

[tammytsang]

I will have to eat out if the contractor can’t finish his job in the kitchen before noon time today.

[ChitraJayawardena]

when = කරන විට If = කළොත් In case = බැරි ෙවලාවත් වුණොත්/ කළොත්

[phamnguyenkhanh]

Your explanation was so perfect but I did not like the way you point to who was watching your video. And please do not throw the document like that.
Thanks!

[nenemtiaof]

Fill up the car with "petrol" ?
😧

[solamon]

Thanks so much! Everything was going well until you threw that paper. Why did you do that ? I really don't like that. I think you should be care some people send you a lot of question. What do you think if someone threws your paper.