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B1 noun #26 mais comum 13 min de leitura

cases

Top 26

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas cases em 30 segundos

Explicação cases in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word 'cases' is most commonly learned in the context of travel and shopping. It refers to the things you use to carry your clothes when you go on a holiday. You might learn the word 'suitcase' first, and then understand that 'cases' is a shorter way to talk about more than one suitcase. For example, 'I have two cases for my trip.' You might also see 'cases' in a shop, like a 'phone case' that protects your mobile phone. At this basic level, you do not need to worry about the legal or medical meanings. Just think of 'cases' as boxes or bags that hold your things. It is a plural word, so we use it when there is more than one. If you have only one, you say 'case'. It is important to remember that 'cases' are usually hard or strong, unlike 'bags' which can be soft. When you are at the airport, you will see many people with their cases. You can also use the word when talking about small boxes for your glasses or your pencils. It is a very useful word for describing how we organize our personal items.

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At the A2 level, you start to use 'cases' in more general ways. You will still use it for suitcases and phone cases, but you will also hear it in phrases like 'in some cases' or 'in many cases'. This means 'sometimes' or 'often'. For example, 'In some cases, the bus is late.' This helps you talk about how often things happen without using the same words like 'sometimes' all the time. You might also hear it in school or at work when someone gives an example. 'This is a case of good teamwork.' Here, 'case' means an example or a situation. You will also learn that 'cases' can be used for drinks, like a 'case of water' which means a big box with many bottles inside. It is a countable noun, so you can say 'one case', 'two cases', or 'many cases'. You should also be careful with the phrase 'in case', which we use to talk about being prepared. For example, 'Take an umbrella in case it rains.' Even though we are talking about the future, we use the singular 'case' in that specific phrase. At A2, you are building a bridge between the physical objects and the abstract ideas of situations.

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At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'cases' in a variety of contexts, including legal, medical, and situational. You will encounter the word in news reports about 'criminal cases' or 'court cases'. In these instances, 'cases' refers to legal problems that a judge needs to decide. You will also see it in health news, such as 'cases of the flu'. Here, it means the number of people who are sick. In your own writing, you can use 'cases' to provide evidence for your opinions. For example, 'There are many cases where technology helps students learn faster.' This shows you can use the word to talk about abstract examples. You will also learn more complex phrases like 'as is often the case', which means 'as usually happens'. This is a great way to make your English sound more natural and advanced. You should also know the difference between 'cases' and 'situations'. While they are similar, 'cases' often implies that there is a record or a specific instance being studied. At this level, you are expected to understand that 'cases' can be physical boxes, medical reports, legal files, or just general examples of a situation.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'cases' with more precision and in more formal contexts. You will use it to discuss 'case studies' in academic or professional environments, where a 'case' is a detailed look at one person, group, or event to learn something important. You will also understand the nuances of legal 'cases', such as 'landmark cases' that changed the law, or 'cold cases' that have not been solved for a long time. In business, you might talk about 'business cases', which are formal documents that explain why a project should be funded. You will also be able to use the word in more sophisticated idiomatic expressions, such as 'to make a case for something', which means to give reasons why something should be done. For example, 'She made a strong case for increasing the budget.' You will also notice the word in more technical fields, like 'use cases' in software development, which describe how a user interacts with a system. At B2, you should be able to switch between these different meanings easily and use the correct collocations, such as 'investigate cases', 'report cases', or 'dismiss cases'.

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At the C1 level, your understanding of 'cases' should include its most abstract and specialized uses. You will encounter 'grammatical cases' in linguistics, referring to the inflectional forms of nouns and pronouns that indicate their relationship to other words in a sentence. You will also use 'cases' in complex logical arguments, such as 'the case for' and 'the case against' a particular philosophical or political position. In professional fields like medicine or law, you will understand the deep implications of 'case management' and 'caseloads'. You will be able to use the word to describe very specific types of occurrences, such as 'borderline cases' or 'extreme cases', to add nuance to your analysis. Your writing will use 'cases' as a way to categorize and analyze data, often in the context of 'case-control studies' or 'qualitative case research'. You will also be sensitive to the register of the word, knowing when to use 'cases' versus more specific terms like 'litigation', 'pathologies', or 'manifestations'. At this level, the word is a tool for high-level categorization and argumentation, allowing you to handle complex information with clarity and precision.

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At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'cases' and can use it with the same flexibility as a highly educated native speaker. You understand the historical etymology of the word, tracing its roots from the Latin 'casus' (a falling or an event) and 'capsa' (a box), and how these two distinct origins merged into the modern English word. You can use 'cases' in highly specialized academic discourse, such as discussing 'the case-law' of a specific jurisdiction or the 'case-marking' systems of indigenous languages. You are adept at using the word in rhetorical devices, such as 'a case in point', to seamlessly integrate examples into a sophisticated narrative. You also understand the subtle connotations of the word in different cultures and professional sub-cultures. For example, you know that in a medical context, referring to a person as a 'case' can sometimes be seen as depersonalizing, and you know when to use 'patient' instead to show empathy. Your use of the word is perfectly integrated into your overall command of English, allowing you to express complex ideas about probability, law, medicine, and physical organization with absolute confidence and stylistic variety.

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cases em 30 segundos

Cases refers to specific instances or examples of a situation, such as medical cases or legal cases in a court of law.
The word also describes physical containers like suitcases for travel, phone cases for protection, or display cases in museums.
In grammar, cases are the different forms nouns take to show their role in a sentence, like the subject or object.
Commonly used in phrases like 'in most cases' or 'just in case', the word helps describe frequency and preparation.

The word cases is a versatile plural noun that functions across multiple domains of human activity, ranging from the physical world of storage to the abstract realms of law, medicine, and logic. At its most fundamental level, it refers to specific instances or examples of a situation occurring. When we discuss social phenomena or scientific observations, we often count the number of cases to determine the prevalence or frequency of an event. For example, a researcher might study several cases of a rare weather pattern to understand its underlying causes. This usage is essential in statistics and general analysis because it allows us to group individual occurrences into a quantifiable set. Beyond this abstract meaning, the word takes on a very tangible form in everyday life. It refers to containers or protective coverings designed to hold, carry, or shield specific items. From the suitcase you pack for a holiday to the protective case on your smartphone, these physical objects are central to how we organize and protect our belongings. In professional contexts, the word becomes more specialized. In the legal profession, a case represents a specific legal action, dispute, or investigation that requires a resolution by a court or authority. Similarly, in the medical field, a case refers to an individual instance of a disease or a particular patient's medical history and current condition. Understanding the context is vital because the word shifts seamlessly between being a physical box and a complex legal or medical situation.

Situational Instances: This refers to specific occurrences of a condition or event. It is often used in the phrase 'in most cases' or 'in some cases' to describe how often something happens.
Physical Containers: Items like suitcases, briefcases, or display cases used for storage, transport, or protection of goods and personal items.
Professional Incidents: Legal or medical files and investigations. A detective works on criminal cases, while a doctor reviews medical cases to find a diagnosis.

The hospital reported several new cases of the seasonal flu this morning.

Please make sure all your cases are labeled before we head to the airport.

The lawyer spent the entire weekend reviewing the details of his upcoming cases.

In many cases, a simple apology is enough to resolve a minor misunderstanding.

The museum display cases were made of reinforced glass to protect the ancient artifacts.

Furthermore, the word is used in logic and debate to refer to a set of arguments supporting a particular conclusion. When someone says they are 'making their cases', they are presenting their evidence and reasoning. In the world of commerce, a case can also be a unit of measurement for goods, such as a case of wine or a case of soda, usually containing twelve or twenty-four individual items. This wide range of applications makes it one of the most frequently used nouns in the English language, requiring the listener to pay close attention to the surrounding words to determine whether the speaker is talking about a box, a patient, a lawsuit, or a general occurrence.

Using the word cases correctly involves understanding its role as a countable noun and its common prepositional pairings. Because it is the plural form of 'case', it follows standard pluralization rules, but its meaning changes significantly based on the adjectives and verbs it accompanies. When discussing frequency, we often use it with quantifiers like 'many', 'few', 'several', or 'most'. For instance, saying 'In most cases, the software works perfectly' suggests a high probability or a general rule. In contrast, 'In rare cases' highlights an exception. When referring to physical objects, 'cases' often follows possessive pronouns or specific descriptors, such as 'their heavy cases' or 'the wooden cases'. In professional settings, you will often see it paired with verbs like 'investigate', 'review', 'solve', or 'dismiss'. A judge might dismiss several cases due to a lack of evidence, while a scientist might investigate cases of environmental contamination. The word is also central to many idiomatic structures that provide nuance to our speech.

Prepositional Phrases: Commonly used with 'in' (in many cases), 'of' (cases of emergency), and 'for' (the cases for and against).
Verbal Collocations: Verbs like 'handle', 'manage', 'report', and 'carry' are frequently used with cases depending on the specific meaning intended.
Adjective Modifiers: Words like 'extreme', 'typical', 'legal', 'medical', and 'protective' help specify which type of case is being discussed.

The detective had to juggle five different cases at the same time, which was quite exhausting.

There are many cases where the traditional method is actually more effective than the modern one.

The airline staff helped the elderly couple lift their heavy cases onto the luggage belt.

Medical researchers are documenting cases of the new variant to see how quickly it spreads.

In extreme cases, the government may decide to intervene in the local economy.

Another important aspect of using 'cases' is its role in academic and formal writing. Scholars often use 'case studies' to provide in-depth examinations of specific subjects. In this context, 'cases' serve as the primary data points for a larger theory. When writing, ensure that the verb agrees with the plural form. For example, 'The cases are being reviewed' is correct, while 'The cases is being reviewed' is a common error for non-native speakers who might confuse the plural noun with a singular collective concept. By mastering these patterns, you can use 'cases' to describe everything from the contents of a warehouse to the complexities of a Supreme Court schedule.

The word cases is ubiquitous, appearing in a variety of environments from the mundane to the highly professional. If you are at an airport or a train station, you will frequently hear announcements regarding 'unattended cases' or 'luggage cases'. In these settings, the word is strictly physical, referring to the bags and trunks travelers carry. Shift the scene to a news broadcast, and the word takes on a more serious, abstract tone. News anchors often report on 'criminal cases' making their way through the justice system or 'high-profile cases' involving celebrities or politicians. During a public health crisis, such as a pandemic, the word 'cases' becomes a daily metric, with officials reporting the number of 'confirmed cases' or 'active cases' in a specific region. This usage is vital for public awareness and policy-making. In a corporate office, you might hear a manager talk about 'business cases', which are documented justifications for starting a new project or making a significant investment. Even in the world of technology, 'cases' are discussed constantly, whether it is the 'use cases' for a new software feature or the physical 'computer cases' that house internal hardware components.

The Courtroom: Lawyers and judges use 'cases' to refer to the legal matters being heard. You might hear about 'civil cases' or 'landmark cases'.
The Hospital: Doctors and nurses use 'cases' to describe patients with specific conditions, often discussing 'emergency cases' or 'chronic cases'.
The Retail Store: In shops, 'display cases' are the glass cabinets where valuable items like jewelry or electronics are kept for customers to see.

The evening news reported that the number of new COVID cases has finally started to decline.

The detective told the press that they are looking into several cold cases from the 1990s.

You can find the diamond rings in the locked cases near the back of the jewelry store.

The IT department ordered twenty new protective cases for the company's tablets.

In many cases of identity theft, the victim does not realize what has happened for several months.

Furthermore, in educational settings, teachers might discuss 'grammatical cases' when explaining how languages like German, Latin, or Russian work. Students of social work or psychology often manage 'caseloads', which are the total number of individual cases or clients they are responsible for at any given time. Even in sports, we hear about 'cases' of athletes being sidelined by injuries. The word's ability to represent a single unit of work, a single unit of sickness, or a single unit of storage makes it a cornerstone of descriptive English across almost every imaginable field of study and daily interaction.

While the word cases seems straightforward, it is a frequent source of errors for English learners, particularly regarding its idiomatic use and countability. One of the most common mistakes is confusing the plural 'cases' with the singular 'case' in fixed expressions. For example, the phrase 'just in case' is an adverbial phrase that should never be pluralized to 'just in cases', even if you are referring to multiple potential problems. Another frequent error occurs with the phrase 'in case of'. People often say 'in cases of emergency' when 'in case of emergency' is the standard, more concise form for signage and instructions. However, 'in cases of' is correct when referring to general categories of events, such as 'in cases of extreme weather'. Confusion also arises between 'cases' and 'causes'. While they sound somewhat similar, a 'case' is an instance of something happening, whereas a 'cause' is the reason why it happened. Misusing these can fundamentally change the meaning of a sentence.

Singular vs. Plural Idioms: Mistake: 'I brought an umbrella just in cases.' Correct: 'I brought an umbrella just in case.' The idiom is fixed in the singular.
Case vs. Cause: Mistake: 'The cases of the fire are unknown.' Correct: 'The causes of the fire are unknown.' A case is the event; the cause is the origin.
In Case vs. If: Mistake: 'I will call you in case I am late.' Correct: 'I will call you if I am late.' Use 'in case' for preparation, 'if' for conditions.

Incorrect: There were many causes of the flu in the city. Correct: There were many cases of the flu.

Incorrect: In all case, we must remain calm. Correct: In all cases, we must remain calm.

Incorrect: I put my phone in its boxes. Correct: I put my phone in its case (or cases if multiple phones).

Incorrect: The lawyer is working on three suits. Correct: The lawyer is working on three cases (though 'lawsuits' is also fine).

Incorrect: In some case, the results are different. Correct: In some cases, the results are different.

Additionally, learners sometimes struggle with the difference between 'cases' and 'containers'. While all cases are containers, not all containers are cases. A 'case' usually implies a specific fit or a protective purpose (like a violin case), whereas a 'container' is a more general term for anything that holds something else. Finally, in the context of 'cases of beer', remember that the word refers to the outer box, not the individual bottles. If you say 'I drank three cases', you are implying you drank seventy-two bottles, which might not be what you meant! Paying attention to these subtle distinctions will help you avoid embarrassing or confusing errors in both speech and writing.

Because cases has so many different meanings, there are numerous synonyms and alternatives depending on what you are trying to say. If you are using 'cases' to mean 'instances' or 'examples', you might consider words like 'occurrences', 'incidents', or 'situations'. 'Occurrences' is slightly more formal and often used in scientific or technical writing to describe things that happen. 'Incidents' often implies something negative or unexpected, like a security incident. If you are talking about 'cases' in a legal sense, alternatives include 'lawsuits', 'trials', 'proceedings', or 'matters'. 'Lawsuit' is specific to civil law, while 'proceedings' is a broader term for any legal action. In a medical context, you might use 'patients', 'subjects', or 'clinical examples'. Using 'patients' focuses on the people, while 'cases' focuses on the medical condition itself. For physical 'cases', you could use 'containers', 'boxes', 'trunks', 'shells', or 'covers'. A 'shell' or 'cover' is often used for electronics, while 'trunk' is specifically for large storage boxes used in travel.

Cases vs. Instances: 'Instances' is often used when providing examples in an argument. 'Cases' is more common when counting or categorizing those examples.
Cases vs. Suitcases: 'Suitcases' is more specific to travel luggage. 'Cases' is a broader category that includes briefcases, tool cases, and more.
Cases vs. Examples: An 'example' is used to illustrate a point. A 'case' is often a documented or official record of that example.

While there were many instances of bad weather, only a few cases resulted in property damage.

The lawyer handled several lawsuits this year, but the criminal cases were the most difficult.

Please put the equipment back in their protective shells after use.

The study examined thirty subjects to see how they reacted to the new medication.

We need to buy more crates to move all these books to the new library.

Choosing the right alternative depends on the level of precision you need. For example, in a formal report, you might say 'There were several documented occurrences of the error,' whereas in a casual meeting, you would say 'We've seen a few cases of this error.' Similarly, if you are talking about luggage, using 'bags' is very common and less formal than 'cases'. In the tech world, 'housing' is a common alternative for the 'case' of a computer or machine. By expanding your vocabulary with these synonyms, you can avoid repeating the word 'cases' too often in your writing and speaking, making your communication more varied and professional.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

Because 'cases' comes from two different Latin words, it is one of the few words in English that can mean both a physical box and an abstract situation without being related in their ancient history.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /ˈkeɪ.sɪz/

US /ˈkeɪ.səz/

The stress is on the first syllable: KAY-siz.

Rima com

faces places traces paces races bases graces spaces

Erros comuns

Pronouncing the 's' at the end like a sharp 's' instead of a 'z' sound.
Confusing the pronunciation with 'causes' (KAW-ziz).
Making the 'a' sound too short like 'cass-es'.
Dropping the second syllable entirely.
Over-emphasizing the second syllable.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 3/5

Easy to read but requires context to know which meaning is intended.

Escrita 4/5

Requires knowledge of pluralization and idiomatic phrases like 'in most cases'.

Expressão oral 3/5

Commonly used in daily speech, though pronunciation can be confused with 'causes'.

Audição 3/5

Must distinguish between 'cases' and 'causes' in fast speech.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

case box bag example law

Aprenda a seguir

instance occurrence precedent litigation inflection

Avançado

nominative accusative genitive dative jurisprudence

Gramática essencial

Plural Subject-Verb Agreement

The cases are (not is) on the table.

Fixed Idiom: Just in case

Always use 'just in case', never 'just in cases'.

Countable Nouns with 'Many'

Use 'many cases' instead of 'much cases'.

Prepositional Phrases

We say 'in most cases', using the preposition 'in'.

Possessive Plurals

The cases' handles were broken (referring to multiple cases).

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Exemplos por nível

I have two big cases for my holiday.

I have two big suitcases for my trip.

Plural noun 'cases' referring to luggage.

Where are your phone cases?

Where are the protective covers for your phones?

Plural noun 'cases' referring to protective covers.

The pencils are in the small cases.

The pencils are inside the small boxes.

Plural noun 'cases' referring to pencil boxes.

She bought three cases of water.

She bought three large boxes of water bottles.

Plural noun 'cases' used as a unit of measurement.

The display cases are made of glass.

The glass boxes for showing items are made of glass.

Plural noun 'cases' referring to display cabinets.

Do you like these blue cases?

Do you like these blue suitcases?

Demonstrative 'these' used with plural 'cases'.

We need new cases for our glasses.

We need new boxes for our eyeglasses.

Plural noun 'cases' referring to eyeglass holders.

The cases are very heavy.

The suitcases are very heavy.

Subject-verb agreement with plural 'cases'.

In many cases, the weather is nice in May.

Often, the weather is nice in May.

Prepositional phrase 'in many cases' meaning 'often'.

There are some cases where the shop is closed.

There are some times when the shop is closed.

Plural noun 'cases' meaning 'situations'.

He carries his documents in two leather cases.

He carries his papers in two leather briefcases.

Plural noun 'cases' referring to briefcases.

We have ten cases of apples in the truck.

We have ten boxes of apples in the truck.

Plural noun 'cases' used for bulk storage.

In most cases, you can pay with a credit card.

Usually, you can pay with a credit card.

Prepositional phrase 'in most cases' meaning 'usually'.

The doctor saw five cases of the cold today.

The doctor saw five people with a cold today.

Plural noun 'cases' referring to medical instances.

Are there any cases of this color left?

Are there any boxes of this color left in stock?

Plural noun 'cases' referring to stock units.

In all cases, please follow the rules.

Every time, please follow the rules.

Prepositional phrase 'in all cases' meaning 'always'.

The police are investigating several criminal cases.

The police are looking into several legal crimes.

Plural noun 'cases' referring to legal investigations.

In some cases, the medicine can cause sleepiness.

Sometimes, the medicine makes you feel sleepy.

Prepositional phrase 'in some cases' used for medical side effects.

The lawyer has many cases to prepare for next week.

The lawyer has many legal trials to get ready for.

Plural noun 'cases' referring to legal workloads.

There were three cases of the virus in the small town.

Three people in the town had the virus.

Plural noun 'cases' referring to disease occurrences.

As is often the case, the simplest solution is the best.

As usually happens, the easy answer is the best.

Idiomatic phrase 'as is often the case' (using plural concept).

The museum has beautiful cases for the ancient jewelry.

The museum has nice glass boxes for the old jewelry.

Plural noun 'cases' referring to museum displays.

In extreme cases, the school might close for the day.

If things are very bad, the school might close.

Prepositional phrase 'in extreme cases' for rare situations.

We need to look at individual cases to understand the problem.

We need to look at each example to see the problem.

Plural noun 'cases' referring to specific data points.

The court dismissed several cases due to lack of evidence.

The court stopped several legal trials because there was no proof.

Plural noun 'cases' used in a formal legal context.

Medical journals often publish interesting cases of rare diseases.

Doctors' magazines often print stories about rare illnesses.

Plural noun 'cases' referring to clinical reports.

The company is making the cases for and against the merger.

The company is giving reasons for and against joining together.

Plural noun 'cases' meaning 'arguments'.

These use cases help developers understand how the app works.

These examples of use help the builders understand the app.

Compound noun 'use cases' from software engineering.

In many cases of fraud, the perpetrator is never caught.

In many examples of cheating, the person is not found.

Prepositional phrase 'in many cases of' followed by a noun.

The detective spent years working on cold cases.

The detective spent years on old, unsolved crimes.

Compound noun 'cold cases' referring to unsolved crimes.

There are documented cases of animals using tools in the wild.

There are recorded examples of animals using tools.

Plural noun 'cases' referring to scientific observations.

The social worker has a heavy caseload of thirty cases.

The social worker has a lot of work with thirty clients.

Plural noun 'cases' referring to professional clients.

The landmark cases of the 1960s changed civil rights law.

The very important legal trials of the 1960s changed the law.

Plural noun 'cases' referring to significant legal precedents.

In certain cases, the exception proves the rule.

Sometimes, the unusual example shows that the rule exists.

Philosophical use of 'cases' in an idiom.

The study analyzed various cases of linguistic shift in urban areas.

The research looked at examples of how language changes in cities.

Plural noun 'cases' in an academic research context.

The lawyer presented several cases to support her client's defense.

The lawyer showed several previous legal examples for the defense.

Plural noun 'cases' referring to legal precedents.

There are rare cases where the patient recovers without treatment.

There are very few times when a patient gets better alone.

Plural noun 'cases' referring to medical anomalies.

The report highlights several cases of systemic corruption.

The report shows many examples of corruption in the system.

Plural noun 'cases' referring to sociological phenomena.

We must evaluate these cases on their own individual merits.

We must look at each example based on its own facts.

Formal expression 'evaluate cases on their merits'.

The grammar of the language includes four distinct cases.

The language has four different noun forms.

Plural noun 'cases' referring to grammatical inflection.

The intricacies of these legal cases require expert analysis.

The complex details of these trials need expert study.

Plural noun 'cases' in a highly formal context.

The philosopher argued that such cases are merely anecdotal.

The philosopher said those examples are just stories, not proof.

Plural noun 'cases' in an epistemological debate.

The longitudinal study followed several cases over twenty years.

The long study watched several examples for twenty years.

Plural noun 'cases' in advanced scientific research.

In most cases of corporate negligence, the fines are substantial.

Usually, when companies are careless, they pay a lot of money.

Plural noun 'cases' in legal/business discourse.

The doctor specialized in difficult cases that others had given up on.

The doctor worked on very hard medical problems.

Plural noun 'cases' referring to complex medical patients.

The museum's conservation cases are climate-controlled.

The museum's display boxes have special air control.

Plural noun 'cases' in a technical conservation context.

The nuances of case-marking in Slavic languages are quite complex.

The small details of noun forms in Slavic languages are hard.

Plural noun 'cases' (implied in case-marking) in linguistics.

The attorney general reviewed the cases for potential civil rights violations.

The top lawyer looked at the trials for rights problems.

Plural noun 'cases' in a high-level government context.

Colocações comuns

criminal cases

medical cases

phone cases

display cases

in most cases

in some cases

court cases

brief cases

severe cases

use cases

Frases Comuns

in all cases

— In every situation without exception.

In all cases, safety comes first.

in many cases

— Frequently or in a large number of instances.

In many cases, people forget their passwords.

as is the case

— As is true or as is happening now.

As is the case with many students, he is tired.

in rare cases

— In very few instances or seldom.

In rare cases, the machine might overheat.

a case of

— An instance or example of a particular thing.

It was a clear case of mistaken identity.

cases in point

— Examples that perfectly illustrate a point.

These two cases in point prove my theory.

in such cases

— In situations like the one just mentioned.

In such cases, you should call the police.

individual cases

— Each separate instance considered alone.

We must look at individual cases carefully.

worst-case

— The most negative possible situation.

In the worst-case scenario, we lose the money.

case by case

— Dealing with each situation separately.

We review applications on a case-by-case basis.

Frequentemente confundido com

cases vs causes

Causes are the reasons why something happens; cases are the instances of it happening.

cases vs boxes

Boxes are general containers; cases are often specialized or protective.

cases vs situations

Situations are general states of affairs; cases are specific recorded instances.

Expressões idiomáticas

"on the case"

— Actively dealing with or investigating a problem.

Don't worry, the detective is on the case.

informal

"make a case for"

— To provide arguments in favor of something.

She made a strong case for a salary increase.

neutral

"a case in point"

— A perfect example of something being discussed.

His success is a case in point for hard work.

formal

"get off my case"

— Stop criticizing or nagging me.

I will do the dishes later, just get off my case!

slang

"just in case"

— As a precaution or to be prepared for a possibility.

Take an umbrella just in case it rains.

neutral

"the case is closed"

— The matter is finished and no more discussion is needed.

I have made my decision, and the case is closed.

neutral

"a basket case"

— A person or thing that is useless or in a very bad state.

After the long flight, I was a total basket case.

informal

"open and shut case"

— A legal matter or problem that is very easy to solve.

With all this evidence, it is an open and shut case.

neutral

"hard cases make bad law"

— Extreme examples should not be used to create general rules.

We should not change the whole policy for one person; hard cases make bad law.

formal

"rest one's case"

— To stop arguing because you believe you have proven your point.

He showed the video and said, 'I rest my case.'

neutral

Fácil de confundir

cases vs causes

Similar spelling and pronunciation.

A cause is an origin; a case is an occurrence.

The cause of the fire was a match; this is one of many cases of arson.

cases vs bags

Both used for travel.

Bags are usually soft; cases (suitcases) are usually hard or structured.

I have two soft bags and two hard cases.

cases vs instances

Both mean examples.

Instances is more abstract; cases often implies a formal record (legal/medical).

There were many instances of rain, but no cases of flooding.

cases vs suits

Related to law.

A suit (lawsuit) is the action; a case is the whole matter being tried.

He filed a suit, and the case lasted for years.

cases vs covers

Both protect things.

Covers are often thin layers; cases are more substantial containers.

The book has a paper cover, but the phone has a plastic case.

Padrões de frases

I have [number] cases.

I have three cases.

In some cases, [sentence].

In some cases, the bus is late.

There are cases of [noun] in [place].

There are cases of the flu in the city.

The lawyer is working on [adjective] cases.

The lawyer is working on criminal cases.

As is the case with [noun], [sentence].

As is the case with most art, it is subjective.

The case for [noun] is [adjective].

The case for renewable energy is strong.

Evaluate the cases on their [noun].

Evaluate the cases on their individual merits.

The intricacies of [adjective] cases...

The intricacies of these legal cases are fascinating.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

case

caseload

casework

caseworker

suitcase

briefcase

Verbos

case (to case a joint)

Adjetivos

caseless

Relacionado

instance

example

situation

occurrence

box

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Como usar

frequency

Very high; used daily in almost all English-speaking environments.

Erros comuns

just in cases → just in case
The idiom is always singular.
The cases of the fire → The causes of the fire
Use 'causes' for the reason something started.
In all case → In all cases
After 'all', you must use the plural 'cases'.
much cases → many cases
'Cases' is countable, so use 'many'.
as is the cases → as is the case
The phrase 'as is the case' is a fixed singular expression.

Dicas

Use for Examples

Use 'in many cases' to introduce examples in your writing. It sounds more professional than just saying 'sometimes'.

Luggage Context

When traveling, remember that 'cases' is a slightly more formal word than 'bags'. Use it when talking to airline staff.

Legal Terms

If you are talking about the law, 'cases' is the standard word for any matter being decided by a judge.

Preparation

Always use 'just in case' (singular) when you are doing something to be prepared for a future problem.

Medical Reporting

In health news, 'cases' refers to the number of people who have a specific illness.

Business Cases

A 'business case' is a document that proves a project is worth the money. Use this term in professional meetings.

Protection

For phones and tablets, always use the word 'case' to describe the protective cover.

Making Arguments

To 'make your case' means to present your best arguments. This is useful in debates and negotiations.

Bulk Buying

If you want to buy a lot of something, ask if they sell it 'by the case' to get a better price.

Sound it Out

Make sure the end of 'cases' sounds like a 'z' (KAY-siz) to distinguish it from other words.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of 'cases' as 'Containers And Situations Every Second'. This helps you remember it means both boxes and things that happen.

Associação visual

Imagine a lawyer holding a briefcase (physical case) while talking about a court case (abstract case).

Word Web

Suitcase Lawsuit Patient Phone cover Example Situation Box Grammar

Desafio

Try to write a paragraph using 'cases' in three different ways: as luggage, as a medical instance, and as a general situation.

Origem da palavra

The word 'cases' comes from two distinct Latin roots that merged in English. One root is 'casus', meaning 'a falling, a chance, or an event'. The other root is 'capsa', meaning 'a box or a chest'.

Significado original: The original meanings were 'something that happens' (from casus) and 'a container' (from capsa).

Indo-European (Latin -> Old French -> Middle English).

Contexto cultural

In medical contexts, calling people 'cases' can be seen as cold or impersonal; it is often better to say 'patients' or 'people with the condition'.

The legal 'case' is a cornerstone of US and UK justice systems, where past cases influence future decisions.

The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Cold Case (TV show about unsolved crimes)

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Travel

heavy cases
unattended cases
pack your cases
luggage cases

Law

court cases
criminal cases
win a case
legal cases

Medicine

cases of flu
medical cases
report a case
severe cases

Shopping

phone cases
display cases
a case of soda
buy by the case

General Discussion

in most cases
in some cases
as is the case
just in case

Iniciadores de conversa

"In most cases, do you prefer to travel with many cases or just a small bag?"

"Have you ever heard of any famous legal cases that changed the law in your country?"

"Do you think there are many cases where technology makes life more difficult?"

"How many phone cases have you owned in the last three years?"

"In what cases do you think it is okay to break a small rule?"

Temas para diário

Describe a time when you had to carry too many heavy cases during a trip and how you handled it.

Write about a situation where, in most cases, you would be angry, but this time you stayed calm.

Discuss the importance of protective cases for expensive electronics in our modern daily lives.

Reflect on a medical case you heard about in the news that interested or worried you.

Explain the 'case for' and the 'case against' living in a big city versus a small village.

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

It is always 'just in case'. This is a fixed idiom in the singular, even if you are thinking about many different possible problems.

In medicine, 'cases' refers to the instance of the disease, but it is often used to refer to the patients themselves. However, it is more polite to say 'patients'.

A 'case of beer' is a box that usually contains 24 cans or bottles. It is a standard unit for buying drinks in bulk.

They are the different forms a noun takes (like nominative or accusative) to show its function in a sentence. English doesn't have many, but languages like German do.

Use it at the beginning of a sentence to mean 'usually' or 'most of the time'. For example: 'In most cases, the weather here is sunny.'

A 'cold case' is a criminal investigation that has not been solved for a long time and is no longer being actively worked on unless new evidence appears.

Yes, it is perfectly correct to use 'cases' as a short form for 'suitcases' when you are in a travel context.

It means to give reasons and evidence to support an idea or a plan. For example, 'He made a case for why we should go to Italy.'

Yes, 'cases' is the plural of the countable noun 'case'. You can count them: one case, two cases, three cases.

A 'display case' is a glass cabinet used in shops or museums to show items while keeping them safe from being touched or stolen.

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