David asked: "Why does "au cas où" take the conditional rather than the subjunctive?"

AurélieNative French expert teacher in Kwiziq

David asked: "Why does "au cas où" take the conditional rather than the subjunctive?"

This question relates to:French lesson "Au cas où + conditional mood (Le Conditionnel) = in case in French"

Asked 8 years ago

Like0Answer2

AurélieNative French expert teacher in Kwiziq

Bonjour David !

Unfortunately, I have to admit I have no explanation for you :(

I must even admit that as a native speaker, I actually used to make that mistake regularly before looking into it for the site...
All I can say is that Le Conditionnel is also a mode that expresses hypotheses and theoretical cases, hence it's logical that it'd be used in such a context.

I hope that's helpful!

Like18 years ago

Michael S.A2Kwiziq community member

au cas que takes the subjuctive. Au cas qu'il fasse beau.

Like06 years ago

Aurélie asked:

David asked: "Why does "au cas où" take the conditional rather than the subjunctive?"

Don't have an account yet? Join today

« Definite vs possessive with clothing We expect everything from him? »

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level