To Mike, tdol.

[Taka]

My English-Japanese says that there is a difference between how Americans and British interpret this sentence:

Give my child this toy in case he cries.

(AE)=Give my child this toy if he cries.
(BE)=Give my child this toy to prevent him from crying.

Is this really true?

[MikeNewYork]

My English-Japanese says that there is a difference between how Americans and British interpret this sentence:

Give my child this toy in case he cries.

(AE)=Give my child this toy if he cries.
(BE)=Give my child this toy to prevent him from crying.

Is this really true?

The AE meaning is correct. I don't know about the BE.

in case

Also, just in case. If it should happen that. For example, In case he doesn't show up, we have a backup speaker. The variant also is used without a following clause to mean simply “as a precaution,” as in I took an umbrella just in case. [c. 1400]
in case of; in the event of. If there should happen to be. For example, Here is a number to call in case of an emergency, or In the event of a power failure, we'll have to shift our plans. Similarly, in that case means “if that should happen,” as in You're alone in the store? In that case I'll bring your lunch. The first usage dates from the early 1700s, the second (with event) from about 1600, and the third from the mid-1800s. Also see in any case; in no case; in the case of.


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The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.


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[Taka]

OK. Thanks, Mike.

Now, it's British turn, tdol.

[Tdol]

I'd say the allegedly American meaning is how I would understand the sentence, but the second meaning is possible, but far from the default reading for me.

[Taka]

I'd say the allegedly American meaning is how I would understand the sentence, but the second meaning is possible, but far from the default reading for me.;-)

Then, it's not really a typical British way of interpreting the sentence, as my dictionary says?

[Susie Smith]

I'd say the allegedly American meaning is how I would understand the sentence, but the second meaning is possible, but far from the default reading for me.

Although it can be interpreted that way, in case is not necessarily the same as if.

Give my child this toy (now) in case he cries (because he might cry later).

Give my child this toy if he cries. (Wait until he cries; then give it to him.)

I don't want to leave home this afternoon in case Mom calls.

I don't want to leave home this afternoon because Mom might call.

[Taka]

I'd say the allegedly American meaning is how I would understand the sentence, but the second meaning is possible, but far from the default reading for me.;-)

Then, it's not really a typical British way of interpreting the sentence, as my dictionary says?

tdol?

[Tdol]

It's possible; it does make sense.

[Taka]

It's possible; it does make sense.;-)

You mean it's a typical Biritish way of understanding the sentence, even though you said it's far from the default reading for you???

[Tdol]

I'm going to do a straw poll of others and see which would be their default reading, then I'll let you know.