auquel cas

In Which Case with Auquel Cas

Level 6

Use auquel cas to connect a possible situation to what would happen next. It is the formal equivalent of saying 'if that happens' or 'in that scenario.'

How It Works

The expression auquel cas is primarily used in formal, professional, or legal French. It serves as a bridge between a condition and its consequence.

1. Structure and Placement
It typically follows a pause, such as a comma or semicolon. While it requires a preceding context to refer to, it can also begin a new sentence (e.g., 'Auquel cas...') when it refers back to the entirety of the previous statement. Unlike many other relative structures, auquel cas acts as a 'determinative relative,' where lequel modifies the noun cas directly. While rare, the plural form auxquels cas is grammatically possible if referring to multiple scenarios.

2. Mood and Tense
After auquel cas, you typically use:

  • The indicative (present, future, etc.) if the consequence is viewed as a logical certainty or a direct instruction.
  • The conditional if the consequence is purely hypothetical or depends on a less certain outcome.

3. Nuance vs. Other Expressions
While it translates to 'in which case,' it is more precise than dans ce cas. It specifically links two clauses within a single flow of logic. It is distinct from au cas où (in case), which is used for precautions rather than consequences.

Examples (4)

  1. Il se peut que le directeur refuse notre proposition, auquel cas nous devrons revoir tout le projet.

    The director may refuse our proposal, in which case we will have to revise the entire project.

    Word by Word: It itself may that the director refuses our proposal, at which case we will have to see again all the project.

    Here, 'auquel cas' links the possibility of refusal to the necessary consequence of revising the project.

  2. Sauf si vous avez déjà réglé votre facture, auquel cas vous ne devez pas tenir compte de ce rappel.

    Unless you have already paid your bill, in which case you should ignore this reminder.

    Word by Word: Except if you have already settled your bill, at which case you not must not hold account of this reminder.

    This is a common administrative formula where the second clause only applies if the first condition is met.

  3. Peut-être a-t-il oublié le rendez-vous, auquel cas je l'appellerai demain.

    Perhaps he forgot the appointment, in which case I will call him tomorrow.

    Word by Word: Perhaps has he forgotten the appointment, at which case I him will call tomorrow.

    The speaker presents a hypothesis (he forgot) and the resulting action (calling tomorrow) using 'auquel cas'.

  4. La météo pourrait se dégrader, auquel cas la cérémonie aurait lieu à l'intérieur.

    The weather could worsen, in which case the ceremony would take place indoors.

    Word by Word: The weather could itself degrade, at which case the ceremony would have place at the interior.

    Note the use of the conditional 'aurait' to match the hypothetical nature of the weather changing.

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing 'auquel cas' with 'au cas où'.

    Auquel cas il pleut, prends un parapluie.
    Au cas où il pleuvrait, prends un parapluie.

    'Au cas où' is used to express a precaution (in case it rains), whereas 'auquel cas' is a connector that follows a statement to show a consequence.

  • Using the subjunctive mood after 'auquel cas'.

    Il pourrait pleuvoir, auquel cas nous annulions la fête.
    Il pourrait pleuvoir, auquel cas nous annulerions la fête.

    'Auquel cas' does not trigger the subjunctive. Use the indicative for probable results or the conditional for hypothetical ones.

  • Using 'auquel cas' to mean 'otherwise'.

    Il doit payer, auquel cas il ira en prison.
    Il doit payer, sinon il ira en prison.

    'Auquel cas' refers to the realization of the previously mentioned scenario (in which case). To express a negative alternative or 'otherwise', use sinon or 'faute de quoi'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

auquel casLevel 6In Which Case with Auquel Cas

Learn This First

To understand 'auquel cas', you need to recognize that it is a relative construction. It combines the preposition 'à' with the relative pronoun 'lequel' (contracted into 'auquel') to modify the noun 'cas' (case). This requires knowledge of prepositional contractions, relative pronouns, and noun gender agreement.

Words in This Pattern

auquel cascasauquel