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stranger
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I just joined AWAD today and posted in a wrong forum just a few minutes ago This is an extremely simple question. I can't seem to remember the word that you use to mean "in fear of." Quick answer, anyone? Thanks!
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stranger
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Nevermind, I got it, it's "lest"
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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posted in a wrong forum A-HAH! Caught! By self-admission! You are hereby sentenced to ten lashes with a wet noodle. (Glad to have you. If I recall your example sentence correctly, it just didn't sound quite "right" to me; and I think it was because lest was followed by a negative. I've seen it either all, or nearly all the time, followed by a positive construct. That is, 'he studied hard lest he fail the exam', not 'he studied hard lest he wouldn't do well'. Though that's not quite it, either: 'he studied hard lest he not pass the exam' sounds okay to my ears. )
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Joined: Jun 2006
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stranger
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Thanks a lot for the pointers! Maybe it's the tense that's not right there? Should "lest" be followed by a sentence with subjunctive? Can you say,
He studied hard lest he should fail the exam
?
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addict
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Always thought that was already implied. Would it not have to be, lest 'lest he fail the exam' not be 'anticipatory*'? *Spell-check did not balk
ÅΓª╥┐↕§
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stranger
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Great example! Gotcha!
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addict
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On Remembrance Day(s) I've oftentimes heard folks unwittingly say the exact opposite of what they mean, with "Lest we don't forget".
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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> "Lest we don't forget".
yeah, I've heard it that way. I think that's one of those double negatives to make a point things.
I haven't thought about lest being a negative/fear thing before.
Last edited by etaoin; 06/15/06 12:43 AM.
formerly known as etaoin...
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Quote:
I haven't thought about lest being a negative/fear thing before.
So haven't I.
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Pooh-Bah
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car: To avoid repetition, you can sub "else" or "ere"
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