Spot the error in the following sentence; if there is no error, mark (d). Work hard (a) lest you do not (b) fail (c). No error (d)
- (a)Work hard
- (b)lest you do not
- (c)fail
- (d)No error
Correct — B, 'lest you do not'. 'Lest' already carries the meaning 'so that ... not / for fear that', so it is itself negative; adding 'do not' makes a double negative. The clause should read 'lest you fail' (or 'lest you should fail'), meaning 'so that you may not fail'.
- (a)Work hard — Correct — the imperative 'Work hard' is properly formed.
- (c)fail — Correct — 'fail' is the right verb after 'lest'; the fault lies in the redundant 'do not' before it, not in 'fail' itself.
- (d)No error — There is an error — the double negative after 'lest' — so 'No error' does not apply.
'Lest' is a negative conjunction meaning 'so that ... not'; it is followed by 'should' plus the base verb (or the plain base verb) and never by another negative such as 'not'.
No directly related past PYQ was found.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Choose the correct sentence.
- (a)Run fast lest you will miss the bus.
- (b)Run fast lest you should miss the bus.
- (c)Run fast lest you do not miss the bus.
- (d)Run fast lest you not missing the bus.
Answer(b) — 'lest' takes 'should' plus the base verb and no extra negative.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Fill in the blank: 'Be careful lest you ______ the vase.'
- (a)do not break
- (b)will break
- (c)should break
- (d)breaks
Answer(c) should break — 'lest' is followed by 'should' plus the base verb.