Are you unsure whether something will happen, but you want to talk about it formally “just in case”?
Well, you might be worried the phrase itself is a bit informal or unprofessional.
Luckily, you have options.
This article will go over how to say “just in case” professionally to help you out.
Is It Formal to Say “Just in Case”?
It is not formal to say “just in case.” We don’t recommend using it in most formal emails because it doesn’t quite convey the correct tone.
Unfortunately, the phrase is unprofessional. It makes it sound like you’re unsure of a situation or don’t know the best ways to handle something.
Therefore, we recommend avoiding it in emails. It’s better to use some alternatives to help you mix things up.
Feel free to review this sentence example to learn how to use “just in case”:
We should check on the results, just in case something has changed. What do you think about that?
Pros
- It’s conversational, which works well in messages or informal emails.
- It’s a great way to show that you’re covering every angle “just in case” something goes wrong.
Cons
- It’s too informal to work well in professional emails.
- It’s a bit generic and repetitive.
So, it’s apparent that “just in case” isn’t the best phrase to use in your writing. Therefore, it’s best to find some synonyms that work better formally.
Keep reading to learn how to say “just in case” in formal English. We’ve provided some great formal synonyms to help you explore your options before including them in your writing.
What to Say Instead of “Just in Case”
- In the event that
- If need be
- As a precaution
- As a contingency
- To hedge one’s bets
- In case of necessity
- As a safeguard
- As a preventive measure
- For the sake of preparedness
- To cover all possibilities
1. In the Event That
First, we think it’s worth using “in the event that” as another word for “just in case.”
This professional synonym shows that you’ve thought about every outcome.
The idea is that an “event” is an outcome you’ve already covered. So, it shows you’ve taken all the necessary precautions to ensure nothing goes wrong.
It works well when emailing your employer. You’ll find it’s quite useful when you want to impress them.
We also recommend reviewing this email sample:
Dear Ms. Adams,
I have attached the document in the event that it’s lost before I complete the project.
Please review my current progress and let me know what you think.
Yours,
Harry Journey
2. If Need Be
For something a bit more friendly yet professional, try “if need be.”
This one works best when contacting coworkers. It lets them know that you’ve thought about the future or any outcomes and have taken precautions to prevent anything bad from happening.
Generally, this shows diligence and attention to detail. Both of these traits are great to bring with you in the workplace.
Check out this sample email to learn more about how to use it:
Dear Hazel,
We can work on this together if need be, as I think that’ll secure our place in this office.
Let me know what you think about that.
All the best,
Maxwell Cobain
3. As a Precaution
It pays to be cautious sometimes. That’s what makes “as a precaution” a great formal word for “just in case.”
It shows that you’re taking action to prevent any issues from occurring.
Generally, this works well when emailing a client. It shows that you don’t want anything to go wrong on your end, so you’ve taken a few precautions to ensure it doesn’t happen.
Also, here’s a great example to teach you more about it:
Dear Mr. Perkins,
I have done most of the work already as a precaution.
After all, I want to show you that I take this partnership very seriously.
Yours,
Georgia Rutherford
4. As a Contingency
Feel free to use “as a contingency” as another synonym for “just in case.”
This time, it sounds more professional and serious. It shows you’ve analyzed every outcome and decided to come up with a failsafe that will prevent any issues.
Generally, this works best when bulk emailing your employees. It fills them with confidence and shows them you’re in control.
We recommend the following example if you still need help with it:
Dear All,
As a contingency, I have already looked at the projected earnings for this quarter.
I believe we can hit them if we work together.
My best,
Kim Hatter
5. To Hedge One’s Bets
Feel free to write “to hedge one’s bets” instead of “just in case.”
This is a great idiomatic expression that shows you’re trying to find the best ways to prevent an issue.
Generally, you can switch “one’s” with another pronoun. For instance:
- To hedge my bets
- To hedge our bets
It works well in an email to a coworker.
After all, it’s a great way to show them that you’re in the same boat and should do something together to ensure you don’t make any mistakes moving forward.
Here’s a great email sample to teach you more about how to use it:
Dear Craig,
We need to do this together to hedge our bets.
I think you’ll see why when we start working on it.
All the best,
Michael Foster
6. In Case of Necessity
Next, we recommend using “in case of necessity.” Now, this alternative works well in professional emails when you believe you’ve thought things through well.
Try using it when talking to an employer. It lets them know that you’ve thought things through about a project you’re working on.
Generally, you can use it to ask for their feedback earlier in a project. It shows you’re keen on details and want to ensure you’ve got something right before continuing.
You can also review this sample email:
Dear Mr. Drake,
In case of necessity, this seemed like a smart move before handing in the project.
Please let me know what you think about my additions.
Best regards,
Toni Barley
7. As a Safeguard
It’s also smart to try “as a safeguard” when contacting a client. It lets them know you’re confident about a situation and have a few fixes in mind if problems arise.
Generally, this is a great way to fill a client with hope.
So, we recommend including it when emailing someone important. It’s polite and formal, and it lets them know that you’re in control of the situation.
Most of the time, clients will be happy to hear this from you. That’s why we recommend using it to fill them with hope.
Here’s a great example to teach you more about how it works:
Dear Miss Dean,
I’ve done most of this as a safeguard.
It’s unlikely that anything will go wrong, but it’s better to be safe.
Yours,
George Toner
8. As a Preventive Measure
We also think “as a preventive measure” is a great choice in your writing.
It replaces “just in case” and keeps things professional when emailing people.
Use it when emailing an employee. It lets them know that you’re in control of a situation and you don’t need them to do much about it.
It also shows that you’ve taken the necessary steps to prevent disaster. So, it’s a good time to offload some work to an employee if you know they won’t mess things up further.
If you’re still unsure, you can check out this example:
Dear Hugh,
I have completed most of the project as a preventive measure.
You merely need to finalize it and send it off when you’re ready.
Thank you so much,
Jack Pollock
9. For the Sake of Preparedness
It’s good to try using something like “for the sake of preparedness” in your writing as well.
This phrase works well when emailing a new client. You can share a business proposal with them and ask for their feedback.
The phrase itself is polite and professional. So, it’s a great way to engage the client and show them that they’re in good hands with you and your company.
Here’s a great email sample to teach you more about it:
Dear Miss Hillary,
For the sake of preparedness, I have attached the file already.
Please review it and let me know what you think about it.
All the best,
Soso Martinez
10. To Cover All Possibilities
It’s also good to use “to cover all possibilities” as another way to say “just in case.” It’s formal and direct, which makes it a great contender in emails.
Generally, this shows that you’re happy to cover any and all points of a problem. This shows good attention to detail and diligence.
That’s why it works best when emailing your boss. It’ll let them know that you’re doing everything you can to avoid any errors.
Here’s a great sample email to show you how to use it:
Dear Mr. Kichenside,
Yes, I am completing it this way to cover all possibilities.
The assignment may take longer, but it will certainly be correct.
Yours,
Amy Riley