in case 后从句的时态

■原则上说，若主句为现在时态，则从句也用现在时态；主句为过去时态，从句也用过去时态。如：

I always keep candles in the house in case there is a power cut. 我家里常备有蜡烛，以防断电。

I wrote down her address in case I forgot it. 我记下了她的住址，免得忘了。

He wasn’t going to use his car in case somebody recognized it. 他不打算用自己的汽车，因为怕有人认出他的车。

■有时从句也可用“should+动词原形”这样的虚拟语气（不管主句为现在时态还是过去时态）。如：

I don’t let him go out in this weather in case he should catch cold. 我不让他这种天气出去以防他会感冒。

I’ve bought a chicken in case your friend should stay to lunch. 我买了一只鸡，免得你的朋友万一留下来吃午饭没菜。

■注意，当主句为将来时态时，从句谓语不能用将来时态，而要用一般现在时表示将来意义。如：

I’ll keep a seat for you in case you change your mind. 我给你留一个座位，以防你会改变主意。