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Angliholic Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

We ought to avoid littering lest we might pollute the city.

We ought to avoid littering lest we might/should pollute the city.

We ought to avoid littering for fear that we might/should pollute the city.

Do both might and should fit in the above samples? Thanks.
  

Top answer

Should fits, as the BrE alternative to the subjunctive, in the first sentence, but not might. lest we pollute /should pollute the city. but I haven't tried to look it up.

— Mister Micawber

  • Should fits, as the BrE alternative to the subjunctive, in the first sentence, but not might.
  • lest we pollute /should pollute the city.
  • but I haven't tried to look it up.
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2 Answers
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Should fits, as the BrE alternative to the subjunctive, in the first sentence, but not might.

lest we pollute /should pollute the city.

I don't think that for fear that need take the subjunctive...but I haven't tried to look it up.
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Mister MicawberShould fits, as the BrE alternative to the subjunctive, in the first sentence, but not might.

lest we pollute /should pollute the city.

I don't think that for fear that need take the subjunctive...but I haven't tried to look it up.

Thanks, Mister.
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