Conditional Clauses Questions Medium
The difference between 'if' and 'lest' in conditional clauses lies in their usage and the meaning they convey.
'If' is a conditional conjunction that introduces a condition or possibility. It is used to express a hypothetical situation or to talk about something that may or may not happen in the future. 'If' is often followed by a present simple tense or a modal verb, and it indicates that the outcome of the condition is uncertain or dependent on certain circumstances.
For example: "If it rains, we will stay indoors." This sentence implies that the action of staying indoors is dependent on the condition of rain.
On the other hand, 'lest' is a conjunction that expresses a negative purpose or intention. It is used to avoid a negative consequence or to prevent something undesirable from happening. 'Lest' is often followed by a verb in the present subjunctive form, and it indicates a precautionary measure to ensure that the negative outcome does not occur.
For example: "She studied hard lest she fail the exam." This sentence implies that the purpose of studying hard is to prevent the negative consequence of failing the exam.
In summary, 'if' introduces a condition or possibility, while 'lest' expresses a negative purpose or intention to avoid an undesirable outcome.