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Olive grape 876 Posted 4 years ago
Grammar

Lest

Hello,

Are these sentences correct: "He hid lest he were seen."

"He hid lest he (should) have been seen."

Do they mean the same? I know that you must use the subjunctive mood when using "lest," but can use past subjunctive as in "If I were a king, I would ..."? Can you also use "present perfect with should" to form this type of sentence?

Thanks in advance

  

Top answer

olive grape 876 "He hid lest he were seen. " This is King Arthur talk, but we still understand it. " That's a big grammar dump.

— Anonymous

  • olive grape 876 "He hid lest he were seen.
  • " This is King Arthur talk, but we still understand it.
  • " That's a big grammar dump.
  • Stick with the short, clean one.
  • " Those uncomfortable with the deep subjunctive will feel better with this.
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1 Answers
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olive grape 876"He hid lest he were seen.

"He hid lest he be seen." This is King Arthur talk, but we still understand it.

olive grape 876 "He hid lest he (should) have been seen."

That's a big grammar dump. Stick with the short, clean one. If you must use "shouls", perhaps "He hid lest he should be seen." Those unc

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