At 12:32 AM 07/14/2001, Sophie Johnson wrote:
>... Indeed, `lest' and `just in case' are synonymous expressions. So you
>are right: both C and D correctly fill the gap in the exam sentence. And
>you are also right in that `lest' is archaic. On that basis, C would have
>been the better answer.

I must disagree with Sophie. "Lest" and "just in case" are not synonymous.
"Lest" means "to prevent X from taking place." "Just in case" means "in the
event that X should actually take place." Very different. I agree that both
C and D could be said, but D seems the more likely answer. Here are
equivalent statements (not exact paraphrases by any means):

C. (just in case):  When I slip and fall, I want to be holding on to the
hand rail.
D, (lest):  Because I want to make sure I don't slip and fall, I will hold
on to the hand rail.

Dick Veit

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