lest you forget

USAGE SUMMARY

"lest you forget" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to remind someone that something important should not be forgotten. For example, "Remember to budget for the upcoming holidays, lest you forget!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Lest you forget, his office consistently refers to him as Commander Zinke.

The New York Times - Magazine

Lest you forget that you are there not only to watch a baseball game but also to soak up the stadium's noble lineage, there's a reproduction of the famous scalloped frieze that adorned the old stadium's upper deck.

The New Yorker

Lest you forget that fragrance is art, and that modern art can sometimes be inscrutable: There's a weird room of white plastic flowers lined up, each with a sensor inside that represents a different "dream".

The New York Times

Lest you forget what is at stake in the election, this week's magazine includes a reminder from a concerned rich person about the dire consequences of taxing the wealthy: There's no mystery about how it works.

The New Yorker

Lest you forget which narrator you are reading, they are colour-coded: each letter "o" in Sam's text is printed in green, since Sam has "Green Eyes with flecks of Gold"; Hailey has "Gold Eyes with flecks of Green", so her "o"s are sort of sepia.

The Guardian - Books

By The New Yorker November 5, 2012 Lest you forget what is at stake in the election, this week's magazine includes a reminder from a concerned rich person about the dire consequences of taxing the wealthy: There's no mystery about how it works.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Forced to buy a laptop in order to work on the train, I had to consider the latest models, so swift, so dynamic, they might leap into your backpack lest you accidentally forget to tuck one in yourself.

The New York Times

Hugh: Agreed, this battered satchel is great and a reminder that the pop pixie can do grungy as well as any bedraggled Hoxton man-child, lest you had forgotten that whole thinky-indie phase.

Independent

Fannie and Freddie, lest you've forgotten, have been longstanding kingpins in the housing market, buying mortgages from banks that issue them so the banks could turn around and lend even more.

The New York Times

On the other hand, if you are employed, you may be hesitant to take time off, lest you be forgotten!

Huffington Post

The Democratic Party ― once the party of the working class, lest you've forgotten ― has just announced yet again its intention to "devise an agenda that will resonate" not with workers but with the "middle class".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lest you forget" to introduce a crucial point that reinforces your argument, particularly when addressing a knowledgeable audience.

Common error

Avoid using "lest you forget" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or pretentious in everyday settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lest you forget" functions as an adverbial clause of purpose, introducing a reminder or caution. As Ludwig AI points out, it suggests something should be remembered to avoid a negative consequence. It emphasizes the importance of the following statement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lest you forget" is a phrase used to emphasize the importance of remembering something. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and frequently appears in news and media, as well as formal writing contexts. While grammatically sound and relatively common, it's best reserved for situations where a degree of formality is appropriate. For casual contexts, simpler alternatives like ""don't forget"" or ""remember"" are more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

let's not forget

A phrase that encourages a collective remembrance.

don't forget

Direct and simple reminder, less formal than the original phrase.

never forget

Emphasizes the importance of not allowing something to fade from memory, often used for solemn occasions.

remember

A straightforward call to recall something specific.

don't let us forget

Highlights a collective responsibility to remember.

bear in mind

Suggests keeping something in consideration, often for decision-making.

keep in mind

Similar to 'bear in mind', but slightly more casual.

it is important to remember

Stresses the significance of maintaining a memory.

it should be remembered

More formal and passive way of highlighting something.

it is worth remembering

Suggests something is valuable or beneficial to recall.

FAQs

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

"Lest you forget" is typically used to introduce a reminder of something important. For example, "Remember to submit your application before the deadline, lest you forget!"

What is a simpler alternative to "lest you forget"?

If you're looking for a less formal option, consider using "don't forget" or "remember". These alternatives convey the same message in a more straightforward manner.

Is "lest you forget" appropriate for all types of writing?

No, "lest you forget" is generally better suited for formal writing, speeches, or when you want to add a touch of emphasis to your reminder. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives are preferable.

What does "lest" actually mean in the phrase "lest you forget"?

In this context, "lest" means 'in order that... not' or 'for fear that'. So "lest you forget" essentially means 'in order that you do not forget' or 'for fear that you might forget'.