au cas où je devrais ressortir (quiz question)

Question

Hello, I'm aware of the rules for this case, but the translation was what stopped me from writing this. "Devrais" generally means "should", but that translation doesn't work here. Would this be an exception, then? Thank you.

Accepted Answer

Hi Niqnuoy,As I understand it "should" is used in the third person singular and in the sense of what needs to be / ought to be or in a polite request in the first person.So rather than you taking a translation as "should" you could have also taken a view of "would have to"  which takes a softer tone?"Just in case I would have to go out again ...." and this also fits better as conditional.This is how I see it  --  hope it helps?Bonne journéeJim

Answer

au cas où demands the conditional, which is why it is devrais (1st person singular conditional of devoir).Au cas où je devrais ressortir -- in case I have to go out again.