lest I forget

USAGE SUMMARY

"lest I forget" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the importance of something or to emphasize a warning or reminder. For example: "I must remember to pay the bills, lest I forget and get charged a late fee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Lest I forget, I teased you last time by promising a couple of specimens of celeb anxiety dreams I've heard.

The New York Times

And lest I forget the Sage off Exit 4 of the turnpike, where the cheery waitress giggled when I asked if they had big cookies.

The New York Times

And, lest I forget, or anyone else forgets, the only reason Sabey is in this invidious position is because the evidence against him was handed to the police by his employers, Rupert's Murdoch's News Corporation.

The Guardian

Mate, they're glasses, the other bit of my brain says, quickly rifling through relevant images from my childhood and teens, and flashing them up on the inside of my contact lenses lest I forget.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

My sister taught me to watch the stars this way lest I think that heaven was up, or heaven, lest I forget the stars are also below us where they sink and sail into the dark like cinders.

The Guardian

He often forgot things he once knew perfectly well, and became shy of conversation, he wrote, "lest I forget the name of the prime minister or who wrote 'Hamlet.' " Yet he was surprised to find, as a nurse reminded him, that he could still write, even though he could not read; the medical term, she said, was "alexia sine agraphia".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

LEST we forget: this season's photography offerings already reflect Sept. 11.

The New York Times - Books

Hence, presumably, the constant references by this week's celebrants to "drawing lessons" and "lest we forget".

The Guardian - Opinion

And lest we forget, I write for a publication that appears only online.

TechCrunch

A horde assemble to hear US Mumford types the Lumineers' one big hit Ho Hey and people literally sprint into the dance tent to hear hot panted CharliXCX blast into Icona Pop's No 1 I Love It (lest we forget, "a song I featured on and wrote").

The Guardian - Music

Judge of the Nations, spare us yet, Lest we forget, lest we forget.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "lest I forget" sparingly to maintain its impact; overuse can diminish its emphasis.

Common error

Avoid using "lest I forget" in casual conversations; it's more appropriate for formal writing or speeches. Reserve the phrase for situations where a slightly elevated tone is suitable.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "lest I forget" is as a subordinating conjunction, introducing a clause that expresses a purpose or warning. It's used to emphasize the importance of remembering something, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lest I forget" is a subordinating conjunction used to introduce a clause that emphasizes the importance of remembering something. As noted by Ludwig AI, it serves to prevent oversights and is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While grammatically correct, it's best suited for formal writing or prepared speech, and should be used sparingly to maintain its impact. Alternatives like "before I forget" or "just a reminder" may be more appropriate in casual settings. The authoritative sources and usage examples confirm its role in drawing attention to crucial points, ensuring they are not overlooked.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so that I don't forget

Rephrases the intention with a more direct, causal structure.

in order not to forget

Emphasizes purpose with a negative to avoid forgetting.

before I forget

Highlights the urgency of remembering something.

let me not forget

Uses a more formal tone with an imperative structure.

I shouldn't forget

Expresses obligation or necessity regarding remembering.

it is important to remember

Stresses the significance of not forgetting.

I must not omit to mention

Uses a more elaborate and formal phrasing.

just a reminder

Provides a short and simple way to introduce a memory prompt.

as a gentle reminder

Softens the reminder with a touch of courtesy.

don't let me forget

Turns the phrase into a request or self-admonishment.

FAQs

How can I use "lest I forget" in a sentence?

Use "lest I forget" to introduce a reminder or to emphasize something that should not be overlooked. For example, "We need to finalize the budget today, "lest I forget" to submit it before the deadline".

What's a more casual alternative to "lest I forget"?

If you're looking for a less formal way to say "lest I forget", you could use phrases like "before I forget" or "just a reminder" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "lest I will forget"?

No, "lest I will forget" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""lest I forget"". "Lest" implies a condition or a purpose of avoiding something, so it doesn't require an additional future tense marker.

What is the difference between "lest I forget" and "in case I forget"?

"Lest I forget" carries a stronger sense of warning or emphasis, highlighting the importance of remembering something. "In case I forget" is more neutral and simply acknowledges the possibility of forgetting something without the same level of emphasis.