In the Event of vs. In the Event That – Which is Correct?
Both “in the event of” and “in the event that” are correct, formal expressions for discussing a possible future situation. Use “in the event of” before a noun phrase, and “in the event that” before a full clause with a subject and verb. In many contexts, “if” sounds more natural.
In the Event of or In the Event That – Which is Correct?
Both “in the event of” and “in the event that” are grammatically correct. The difference is the type of phrase that follows them.
- In the event of is followed by a noun or noun phrase: in the event of an emergency.
- In the event that is followed by a complete clause containing a subject and verb: in the event that the system fails.
Both expressions mean approximately “if something happens” or “should something happen.” They are especially common in formal writing, legal documents, contracts, policies, safety instructions, and official announcements.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the noun-versus-clause test. If the words after the expression name an event, use “in the event of”: in the event of cancellation. If the words after it describe who or what performs an action, use “in the event that”: in the event that the event is canceled.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the event of | Prepositional phrase | If a particular event or circumstance occurs | In the event of a fire, use the nearest exit. |
| In the event that | Subordinating conjunction phrase | If a particular situation occurs | In the event that the alarm sounds, leave immediately. |
How to Use In the Event of
“In the event of” is a formal prepositional phrase. It introduces a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that identifies a possible event or condition. The expression is common when giving instructions, describing contingency plans, or explaining what will happen under specific circumstances.
Because it has a formal tone, “in the event of” may sound more official than the simpler word “if.” For example, a contract might say “in the event of nonpayment,” while everyday conversation would usually say “if someone does not pay.”
Example 1: In the event of severe weather, the outdoor performance will be postponed.
Example 2: Contact the building manager in the event of a water leak.
Example 3: In the event of a tie, the candidate with more experience will be selected.
Etymology of the phrase In the Event of
The phrase is built from “event,” which comes from the Latin eventus, meaning “occurrence” or “result,” through Old French and Middle English. The preposition “of” connects the phrase to the event being considered. Over time, “in the event of” developed into a formal way to introduce a possible circumstance.
How to Use In the Event That
“In the event that” is a formal conjunction phrase followed by a complete clause. That clause normally contains a subject and a verb, such as the shipment arrives late or the machine stops working.
This expression is useful when the writer wants to state a possible situation in sentence form. It is often interchangeable with “if” or “should,” although “in the event that” is more formal and can sound cautious or bureaucratic.
Example 1: In the event that the payment is delayed, please contact the billing department.
Example 2: We will provide replacement equipment in the event that the original unit fails.
Example 3: In the event that you cannot attend, a recording will be sent to you.
Etymology of the phrase In the Event That
“In the event that” combines the noun “event” with the conjunction “that.” The word “event” ultimately comes from Latin eventus, meaning an occurrence or outcome. English writers began using this construction as a formal way to introduce a possible clause, particularly in legal, administrative, and institutional language.
Related Concepts
Understanding the difference between noun phrases and clauses makes it easier to choose between these two expressions.
- Prepositional phrases: “In the event of” functions as a prepositional phrase and must be followed by a noun or noun phrase, such as an emergency or equipment failure.
- Subordinate clauses: “In the event that” introduces a subordinate clause containing a subject and a verb, such as the equipment fails.
- Conditional expressions: Both phrases introduce hypothetical conditions. They are formal alternatives to if, although they do not always sound equally natural in casual speech.
- Nominalization: Formal writing often turns actions into nouns. For example, if the service is canceled can become in the event of cancellation.
Examples from Media and Literature
These expressions frequently appear in formal media contexts and literary situations involving warnings, contingency plans, and uncertain outcomes.
- News reports: Emergency-coverage reports may state, “In the event of flooding, residents should move to higher ground.”
- Public announcements: Transportation notices often use wording such as, “In the event that the train is delayed, passengers may request assistance.”
- Legal dramas: A character reading a contract might say, “In the event of a breach, the agreement may be terminated.”
- Science-fiction stories: A spacecraft protocol might instruct its crew, “In the event that communication is lost, the vessel will return to base.”
- Historical fiction: A military or political document may refer to “in the event of an attack” when outlining a response plan.
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct phrase to complete each sentence: in the event of or in the event that.
- _______ a power outage, the backup generator will start automatically.
- _______ the package does not arrive by Friday, contact customer service.
- _______ an emergency, remain calm and follow the posted instructions.
- _______ the weather becomes dangerous, the organizers will cancel the race.
- _______ cancellation, ticket holders may request a refund.
Answer Key
- In the event of a power outage, the backup generator will start automatically.
- In the event that the package does not arrive by Friday, contact customer service.
- In the event of an emergency, remain calm and follow the posted instructions.
- In the event that the weather becomes dangerous, the organizers will cancel the race.
- In the event of cancellation, ticket holders may request a refund.
In the Event of Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| If | Introduces a condition; the most common and flexible alternative. |
| In case of | Used when preparing for or responding to a possible event. |
| Should there be | A formal alternative meaning “if there is.” |
| Upon | Means “when” or “immediately after,” but may not express uncertainty as clearly. |
In the Event That Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| If | Introduces a possible condition in a direct, neutral way. |
| Should | A formal conditional alternative, as in “should the system fail.” |
| In case | Refers to preparation for a possible situation. |
| If it happens that | A less concise phrase expressing the same general condition. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “in the event of” grammatically correct?
Yes. “In the event of” is correct when it is followed by a noun or noun phrase, such as in the event of an accident or in the event of cancellation.
Question 2: Is “in the event that” grammatically correct?
Yes. “In the event that” is correct when it introduces a complete clause containing a subject and a verb, such as in the event that the flight is delayed.
Question 3: Which is more formal: “if” or “in the event that”?
“In the event that” is generally more formal and wordier than “if.” Use it in contracts, policies, official notices, and other formal contexts. In ordinary conversation, “if” is usually more natural.
Conclusion
“In the event of” and “in the event that” are both correct. Choose “in the event of” before a noun phrase and “in the event that” before a complete clause with a subject and verb. Although both are formal alternatives to “if,” using the correct grammatical structure improves clarity. Pro Tip: Precise phrasing in professional documents strengthens your credibility and helps readers understand instructions quickly.
