[Grammar] lest he find/finds out

[Oceanlike]

Do I use base after the connector 'lest' in the sentence?

Joe hid the damaged camera lest his brother find/finds out.

I read in a book that the verb that follows lest is usually in base form.

Thank you for teaching me!

 

[GoesStation]

We don't use the word lest in AmE.

 

[Rover_KE]

If I had to use it I'd say '...lest his brother should find out'.

 

[MikeNewYork]

We do use lest in AmE. And when we use it, we follow it with the subjunctive: Lest he find out.

 

[GoesStation]

I can think of only one phrase where AmE-speakers use lest: the New Testament quote Judge not lest ye be judged. It does exist occasionally in phrases based on that one, but otherwise, I'd really take notice if I heard someone use that word.

 

[MikeNewYork]

I use it in everyday speech.

 

[GoesStation]

I guess I was not completely correct then. I'd say your use of the word is rare though.

 

[emsr2d2]

I use it and am used to hearing it. As Piscean said, it's followed by the present subjunctive: "... lest he find out".

 

[SoothingDave]

I'd say it's not very common, but it's not archaic either. And definitely used with subjunctive. Much more likely to hear "so he doesn't find out" than "lest he find out."