Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

jays · Joined: 13 Oct 2005 Posts: 221

Which is/are correct in the parentheses of the following sentence?
---- the following -------
I worked hard lest I (should/might/could/would/will/may/can/shall) fail.

asterix · Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Posts: 1654

Should.

CP · Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 2875 Location: California

I think the best one is "should":

I work hard lest I fail.

I worked hard lest I should fail.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

Mallaien · Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 2:25 pm Post subject:

would "lest" be another term for "unless" or "least"? Or could it be the combined meaning of both?
_________________
Visit my Blog on a Chinese web site. I discuss many things about American culture, and the site is getting quite popular. http://mallaien.blog.sohu.com/

CP · Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 2875 Location: California

"Lest" is defined in my dictionary as a conjunction meaning "for fear that." Hence, "I work hard for fear that I fail."

The examples given in my dictionary are "worried lest he should be late" and "hesitant to speak out lest he be branded a troublemaker." Note the use of the subjunctive there.

It is not very commonly used these days, because it has an old fashioned feeling to it and it does require the subjunctive. It is probably most heard in the expression, "Lest we forget." That is put on monuments and memorials to fallen heroes, lest we forget their sacrifice.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

Mallaien · Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 4:47 pm Post subject:

as that definition I do know that. the quest is probably where the origin of the word came from. "lest" might be old english, and maby "unless" came from it?
_________________
Visit my Blog on a Chinese web site. I discuss many things about American culture, and the site is getting quite popular. http://mallaien.blog.sohu.com/