lest conjunction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lest conjunction" is not correct or usable in written English. "Lest" is a conjunction that means "for fear that" and is typically used with a clause following it. An example would be: "He left early lest he miss the train." Alternative expressions with the same meaning include "for fear that" and "in case."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Corp. in conjunction with Rutgers Univ.

The New Yorker

It was like in conjunction.

The Guardian

Produced by MSNBC in conjunction with Peacock Productions.

The New York Times - Arts

Meanwhile, Scorpio is in conjunction with Venus.

The Guardian - Opinion

Monitor Center, in conjunction with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The New York Times - Arts

A VH1 production in conjunction with Pink Sneakers Productions.

The New York Times - Arts

Motive, means and opportunity are in conjunction.

Forbes

We produced that in conjunction with Conundrum Entertainment.

Forbes

NYE, in conjunction with Goldenvoice.

Los Angeles Times

Written in conjunction with Nicholas Warnes*.

Huffington Post

Screenshot of FumeFX in conjunction with Frost.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reserve 'lest' for formal, literary, or oratorical contexts to maintain a consistent tone, as it can sound archaic in casual conversation.

Common error

Writers often incorrectly use the indicative past tense after 'lest', such as 'lest he forgot' instead of the correct 'lest he forget'. The clause following 'lest' should express a hypothetical or avoided outcome, not a completed fact.

Linguistic Context

The query "lest conjunction" refers to the word 'lest' and its role as a subordinating conjunction. In linguistic terms, it introduces a dependent clause of negative purpose or apprehension. According to Ludwig, the word 'lest' functions to link a main action with a potential outcome that the subject intends to prevent.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the specific phrase "lest conjunction" is not used in natural speech, it identifies a significant grammatical element. As established by Ludwig AI, 'lest' is a formal subordinating conjunction used to introduce a negative purpose clause. It is highly effective in professional and literary writing to describe precautionary actions. However, writers should be careful to use the subjunctive mood or the modal verb 'should' in the following clause to maintain grammatical accuracy. If you are writing in a casual tone, consider using "for fear that" or "to avoid" to ensure your message is accessible to your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for fear that

Standard modern alternative that explains the purpose of the conjunction

so that... not

A negative purpose clause that replaces the formal tone of 'lest'

in order to prevent

Explicit phrasing for the preventative function of the term

to avoid

Simplified infinitive construction that mirrors the intent of 'lest'

lest it should

A common auxiliary construction used within 'lest' clauses

in case

Less formal alternative often used to suggest precaution

subordinating conjunction

The specific grammatical category that the word 'lest' belongs to

just in case

Common colloquialism for precautionary actions

unless

A conditional conjunction that operates on a different logical requirement

provided that

A positive conditional conjunction representing a different logical flow

FAQs

Is 'lest' a conjunction?

Yes, 'lest' is a subordinating "conjunction" used to introduce a clause expressing something to be prevented or avoided.

How do I use 'lest' in a sentence?

You can use it to show purpose, as in "We whispered "lest we wake the baby"". Notice that the verb 'wake' is in the subjunctive form.

What is a modern alternative for 'lest'?

A more common and modern way to express this is by using "for fear that" or "so that ... not".

Does 'lest' take 'should' or the subjunctive?

Both are correct. You can say 'lest he fail' (subjunctive) or 'lest he should fail'. Both constructions are commonly found in "formal writing".