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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Verbal Concordance
I was reading this book, Lolita, and a sentence called my attention:
"...and other fragments seemed to point to Charlotte's intention of fleeing with Lo to Parkington, or even back to Pisky, lest the vulture snatch her precious lamb."
Shouldn't the verb "snatch" agree with vulture?
In my opinion, the sentence should be rewritten as "...lest the vulture snatches her precious lamb."
So, what's the problem here?
"...and other fragments seemed to point to Charlotte's intention of fleeing with Lo to Parkington, or even back to Pisky, lest the vulture snatch her precious lamb."
Shouldn't the verb "snatch" agree with vulture?
In my opinion, the sentence should be rewritten as "...lest the vulture snatches her precious lamb."
So, what's the problem here?
Top answer
A lest clause takes the present subjunctive, that is, third person singulars without the s . lest he be lost. lest she go too soon.
- A lest clause takes the present subjunctive, that is, third person singulars without the s .
- lest he be lost.
- lest she go too soon.
- lest the judge find them guilty.
- lest a breeze blow his hat away.
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1 Answers
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A lest clause takes the present subjunctive, that is, third person singulars without the s.
lest he be lost.
lest she go too soon.
lest the judge find them guilty.
lest a breeze blow his hat away.
(Not is lost, goes, finds, or blows.)
CJ
lest he be lost.
lest she go too soon.
lest the judge find them guilty.
lest a breeze blow his hat away.
(Not is lost, goes, finds, or blows.)
CJ
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