Usage of “LEST’.
Courtesy
Sri. K. V. Madhusudhan
Resource Person (English)
Voiced & compiled by
Nageswar Rao. A
English Teacher.
Lest is a conjunction. It gives the meaning ‘in order to prevent
something from happening’.
He gripped his friend’s arm lest he be slipped from the slope.
It is used to introduce the reason for the particular emotion
mentioned.
She was afraid lest she had revealed too much. (here it gives
the meaning of ‘in case’)
‘Lest’ is also used to express ‘purpose’ clauses to mean ‘for
fear that’
He dared not spend the money lest someone should ask
where he had got it.
In literary English ‘lest . . . Should’ is sometimes placed
after expressions of fear or anxiety.
He was terrified lest he should slip on the icy rocks.
Visit us at “ayalasomayajula nageswar rao”
For
More videos on Functional & Usage Grammar.