"Dans tous les cas" vs "en tout cas"

Camille D.B2Kwiziq community member

"Dans tous les cas" vs "en tout cas"

How come "en tout cas" is not an acceptable translation for "in any case"? To me, they mean the same thing but perhaps there is a difference in connotation?

Asked 5 years ago
CélineKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Bonjour Camille,

Thank you for your comment! Chris's link is brilliant! ;-) 

'En tout cas' is now accepted as a correct answer although 'dans tous les cas' is the 'better' option here. 

I hope this is helpful.

Bonne journée !

Thalia C.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

I agree with you. I also chose "en tout cas", which is what I hear more often in France.  After reading the link posted by Chris on Le Figaro, I assume both usage are correct.

Berenice L.B1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Yes there is a slight diffference. 

'dans tous les cas' = in all possible cases/situations. 

ex: Soit je dîne chez ma mère ce soir, soit je vais au restaurant. Dans tous les cas, je mangerai. (either I have dinner at my mother's, either I go to the restaurant. In all cases, I will eat.) 

'en tout cas' : all in all, in all cases, like at the end of a story. 

ex: someone had difficulties on the way to visiting their friend, tells the story about it. at the end, says 'en tout cas, je suis content d'être là'. (all in all, I'm happy to be here).

"Dans tous les cas" vs "en tout cas"

How come "en tout cas" is not an acceptable translation for "in any case"? To me, they mean the same thing but perhaps there is a difference in connotation?

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