lest that meaning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lest that meaning" is not correct in standard written English. It should be "lest that" or "lest the meaning." An example could be: "He spoke softly, lest the meaning of his words be misunderstood." Alternative expressions include "to avoid that meaning" and "to prevent that meaning."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet, lest we forget that meaning is ambiguous, and that the work is a painting, Ms. Dumas has titled it "Pregnant Image".

The New York Times - Arts

Take her sentences in that meaning.

WikiHow

I doubt that Byrne intended that meaning.

The New Yorker

"Nobody dares close it," he said, lest that provoke a reaction from "old cadres".

The New York Times

That meaning is generated by the mind.

BBC

Assume that meaning is determined by rules.

SEP

Our aim was to avoid TOPS being linked to our unit, lest that deter other commercial units from using it.

European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology

It's a life that had meaning.

The New Yorker

Another number that has meaning is six.

Los Angeles Times

Nothing that held meaning.

Huffington Post

Provide work that has meaning.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to express the idea of preventing a particular interpretation, consider using clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives such as "lest that" followed by a verb, or restructuring the sentence to use "in order to avoid" or "to prevent."

Common error

Avoid directly following "lest" with "that meaning". This construction is not grammatically standard. Instead, ensure that "lest" is followed by a clause that indicates the action to be avoided.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lest that meaning" is an incorrect construction attempting to introduce a clause expressing something to be avoided. As Ludwig AI points out, the correct usage of "lest" requires a full clause, not just a noun phrase like "that meaning".

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lest that meaning" is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI's analysis indicates, it does not appear in authoritative sources and is not a recognized construction. To effectively convey the intended meaning—preventing a specific interpretation—it is advisable to use alternative phrases such as "to avoid that meaning" or to restructure the sentence for clarity. The correct use of "lest" involves following it with a full clause expressing the action or state to be avoided, rather than a direct noun phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lest the meaning be misconstrued

Focuses on avoiding a specific negative interpretation.

lest that interpretation arise

Specifies the avoidance of a particular interpretation.

lest there be any confusion about the meaning

Adds clarity about avoiding misunderstanding.

to prevent that meaning from being inferred

Highlights the prevention of a specific conclusion.

lest that particular meaning be assigned

Focuses on avoiding the assignment of a certain meaning.

lest such a meaning be taken

Emphasizes the potential for misunderstanding.

to preclude that meaning

Uses a more formal term for preventing a specific meaning.

in order to avoid that meaning

Replaces "lest" with a more direct phrasing.

to ensure that meaning is not derived

Provides a proactive way to ensure the meaning is not incorrectly obtained.

so that meaning is not understood in that way

Provides a more descriptive explanation of the intended prevention.

FAQs

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

Use "lest" followed by a clause expressing something to be avoided. For instance, "He spoke softly, lest he should wake her" or "They hid the evidence, lest they be accused."

What's a grammatically correct alternative to "lest that meaning"?

Consider rephrasing with alternatives such as "to avoid that meaning" or "to prevent that meaning from arising". You could also use "lest that" followed by a verb phrase.

Is "lest that meaning" ever appropriate in formal writing?

No, "lest that meaning" is not considered standard English and is best avoided in formal writing. Opt for more conventional phrasing to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.

What is the difference between "lest that" and "lest that meaning"?

"Lest that" introduces a clause expressing a condition to be avoided, whereas "lest that meaning" is not a grammatically correct phrase. The former requires a complete clause to follow.