lest

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "lest" is a perfectly acceptable word to use in written English.
It is used to express fear or concern, and often appears as part of a warning about something that could happen. Example sentence: "Beware of the slippery roads, lest you have an accident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The winning piece was a large tombstone themed on climate change, blackened by oil and carrying the words "Lest we forget those who denied".

The Guardian

Lest that sound like faint praise, he quickly qualifies it: earlier this week, in a day trip around Stockholm's record shops, he added 50 singles to his already mammoth Abba collection.

The Guardian - Music

Lest there be any doubt that the domiciliary or homecare sector is in crisis, consider this.

The Guardian

In the meantime, here's a little something he cooked up on the game earlier: Lest anyone think Queensland are getting tired of beating New South Wales, Maroons skipper Cameron Smith did his best to put that slur to rest during the week as he emphasised Queensland's enduring level of "hate" for the Blues.

The Guardian - Sport

Lest we forget, it would also enhance England's chances this autumn.

The Guardian - Sport

Back on the main stage, the new association between English National Ballet and the Wells is marked by a revival of ENB's masterful Lest We Forget programme, with war-themed work by Khan, Maliphant and Liam Scarlett (George Williamson's Firebird, which used to sit rather uncomfortably in this programme, has now sensibly been dropped).

The Guardian

Lest we forget, when he does win, it's under the crushing weight of the public's expectations and hysterical headlines, most recently when his fiancee was caught swearing at a match.

The Guardian - Sport

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 6.15pm ET23:15 Lest we forget: the infallably wrong Drudge Report claimed that Mitt Romney was going to pick David Petraeus for his VP nominee... — adam nagourney (@adamnagourney) November 9, 2012 I'm guessing Romney's is glad he didn't pick the General as his running-mate.

The Guardian

Lest we forget: the trade union movement's century-old historic compromise with capitalism was at the expense of women – trade unions fought for the expulsion of women from waged work; even as late as the 1930s they campaigned to ban married women, or all women, from the workplace.

The Guardian

Lest this be read as suggesting an element of compulsion, we should make clear that Philip Davies was not arguing, in a debate on the minimum wage, that disabled people be obliged to work for less than the statutory minimum.

The Guardian

NB: Lest anyone think I'm some kind of apologist for the Qatar government, I would remind you of this blogpost published on this blog on 27 May and in the London Evening Standard on 20 May.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lest", ensure that the clause following it expresses a potential negative consequence that you are trying to avoid.

Common error

Avoid using "lest" in sentences where the intended consequence is positive or neutral. "Lest" always implies the prevention of something undesirable.

How to use

Learn how to use "lest" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "lest" is as a conjunction, introducing a subordinate clause that expresses a reason for doing something, typically to avoid an undesirable outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it conveys a sense of caution or apprehension.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the conjunction "lest" is used to express fear or caution, often to prevent an undesirable outcome. According to Ludwig AI, it is a valid word in written English. While grammatically correct and frequently used, "lest" carries a formal tone, making it more suitable for literary, news, or formal writing. It's crucial to use "lest" when the intended consequence is genuinely negative. Alternatives like "for fear that" or "in case" can be used in less formal settings. Common sources of this term are The Guardian and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for fear that

Replaces "lest" with a more explicit expression of fear or apprehension.

in case

A more common and less formal alternative to "lest", indicating precaution.

so that...not

Emphasizes the intended negative outcome being avoided.

in order that...not

A more formal way to express the purpose of avoiding something.

so as not to

Expresses a purpose of avoiding a particular action or outcome.

to prevent

Focuses on the act of preventing an undesirable outcome.

to avoid

Similar to "to prevent", but with a slightly broader scope.

for the purpose of preventing

A lengthier and more emphatic way of expressing the intent to prevent something.

with the intention of avoiding

Highlights the intent behind taking a certain action.

before

Indicates taking action to prevent something from happening at a later time.

FAQs

How can I use "lest" in a sentence?

Use "lest" to introduce a clause expressing the reason for a particular action, typically to avoid an undesirable outcome. For example, "He studied diligently, "lest he fail" the exam".

What are some alternatives to using "lest"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "for fear that", "in case", or "so that...not" as alternatives to "lest". For instance, instead of "She hid the letter lest he find it", you could say "She hid the letter "for fear that he find it"".

Is "lest" a formal word?

Yes, "lest" is considered a formal and somewhat archaic word. It's more common in literary or formal writing than in everyday speech. Using a phrase like "in case" might be better suited for informal contexts.

What is the difference between "lest" and "unless"?

"Lest" implies a purpose of avoiding a negative outcome, whereas "unless" introduces a condition that must be met for something to happen. "Study hard, "lest you fail"" means study hard to avoid failing. "You won't pass, "unless you study"" means you need to study to pass.