I watched an interview on a national TV days ago and was shocked to hear the interviewee, a professional in the real sector, use the phrase, ‘should in case’. It is an ageless tautological expression that experts rightly condemn. Well, some may whisper that even one or two teachers too have used the phrase one time or the other. The fact, however, remains that it is far from being correct.
According to Oxford Dictionary, tautology is the saying of the same thing twice over in different words. Similarly, Cambridge Dictionary defines it as the use of two words or phrases that express the same thing, in a way that is unnecessary and usually unintentional. Based on these, ‘should in case’ is tautological since ‘in case’ and ‘should’ are like conditionals that express possibility. Each can work on its own to relay the message:
Should in case he arrives early, ask him to prepare the food. (Wrong)
In case he arrives early, ask him to prepare the food. (Correct)
Should he arrive early, ask him to prepare the food. (Correct)
Some can be so guilty of the grammatical overkill that they write ‘in case’ together:
Should incase he arrives early, ask him to prepare the food. (Wrong)
Let the two men go with you in case of any incasity. (Wrong)
Let the two men go with you in case of necessity. (Correct)
Other conditionals that can work in the context
Conditionals are words or phrases used to describe the result of certain conditions. They are principally if-expressions but unless, until, should and in case also indicate conditions and consequences:
If he doesn’t arrive early, I will not discuss the matter with him.
Unless he arrives early, I will not discuss the matter with him.
Until he learns to arrive early, I will not discuss the matter with him.
Types of conditionals
Basically, there are three types of conditional sentences: zero conditionals, first conditionals and second conditionals.
Zero conditionals
These are conditionals used to talk about things that are generally or naturally true. Such are true in law or by nature, custom etc.:
I will be arrested if I drive against traffic.
Ice melts if you heat it.
Your phone will develop faults if you overcharge the battery.
First conditionals
These are used to express future situations that are real or possible:
If John doesn’t come, we will postpone the event.
My mum will be angry if I don’t return early.
If Tinubu returns to Abuja early enough, he will hold a meeting with his ministers.
Second conditionals
We use these to imagine present or future situations that are unlikely in reality or that are outright impossible:
If I were Governor Fubara, I would stop Wike from visiting Rivers.
If I found my way to America tomorrow, I would tell Biden to be careful about the Gaza war.
If the economy was not this tough, I would buy a brand new car.
Credit: Akeem Lasisi