en tout cas

fr
en
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Translating...
in any case, anyway, at any rate
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/ɑ̃ tu kɑ/
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A point remains true despite uncertainty about the rest.

Examples

  • Le train a du retard . en tout cas, nous pouvons attendre.
    The train is late. anyway, we can wait.
  • Je n’ai pas tout compris . en tout cas, l’idée me plaît.
    I didn’t understand everything. at any rate, I like the idea.
  • En tout cas, merci pour ton aide.
    Anyway, thanks for your help.
  • Je ne sais pas s’il viendra . en tout cas, je serai là.
    I don’t know if he’ll come. in any case, I’ll be there.
  • Elle a peut-être changé d’avis . en tout cas, elle n’a rien dit.
    She may have changed her mind. in any case, she said nothing.

Similar words

dans tous les cas
quoi qu'il en soit
de toute façon

Meanings

Whatever else happens

discourse
neutral
Used to state what is certain or relevant despite other possibilities.

Examples

  • Je ne sais pas s’il viendra . en tout cas, je serai là.
    I don’t know if he’ll come. in any case, I’ll be there.
  • Le train a du retard . en tout cas, nous pouvons attendre.
    The train is late. anyway, we can wait.
  • Je n’ai pas tout compris . en tout cas, l’idée me plaît.
    I didn’t understand everything. at any rate, I like the idea.
  • Elle a peut-être changé d’avis . en tout cas, elle n’a rien dit.
    She may have changed her mind. in any case, she said nothing.
  • En tout cas, merci pour ton aide.
    Anyway, thanks for your help.

Similar words

Etymology

Literally “in every case”, from en, tout and cas.

FAQ

What does en tout cas mean?

“In any case” or “anyway.”

Can it follow an uncertain statement?

Yes. It can introduce the part that remains certain.

Can it introduce a conclusion?

Yes. It often marks the point a speaker wants to keep.

Is it the same as au cas où?

No. Au cas où means “in case.”

Is it written as three words?

Yes: en tout cas.

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