Choose the correct option to complete the sentence given below:
Seeing me stumble a few times he held my hand _______________ I should fall.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → lest
Complete sentence: Seeing me stumble a few times he held my hand lest I should fall. He held my hand because he feared I might fall, so "lest I should fall".
| Option | Meaning and use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) until | Until means up to the time when. "Held my hand until I should fall" would make the fall the moment he was waiting for. | Wait here until I come back. |
| (2) unless | Unless means if not. "Held my hand unless I should fall" makes no sense. | You will miss the bus unless you hurry. |
| (3) lest (answer) | Lest means for fear that, or so that ... not. It is followed by should + base verb (or the base verb alone), and never by "not", because the idea of "not" is already in "lest". | Walk slowly lest you slip on the wet floor. |
| (4) if | If states a condition. "If I should fall" would make the fall a condition for holding my hand, while he held it to prevent the fall. | Call me if you need help. |