There are some English words that are hard to use because they are sesquipdalian (ironic, isn't it) or too archaic for us to have heard in colloquial conversation. Today, I will teach you how to use the word "lest" properly.
To make it really simple, "lest" = "in order that ... not". So let's take a sample sentence with an "in order that" in it.
Example 1.
Calvin puts perfume on his arms in order that he scare squirrels away. Okay, let's stick in the "lest". Replace "in order that" with "lest" and then add a "not" to the verb in the dependent clause.
Example 2.
Calvin puts perfume on his arms lest he not scare squirrels away.
The sentence looks a lot shorter and less wordy. Try it yourself!
How to use "lest" in a sentence. DONE.
4 comments:
Use of the word sesquipedalian is great lest you spell it wrong or should be using it's adjective form sesquipedal. (Thanks google)
sesquipdelian is an adjective and a noun.
oh yes you're right! spelling might still be a little off though
lousy squirrels
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