Select the most appropriate option to improve the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to improve it, select ‘No improvement’.
I will not go to the party lest you will promise to accompany me.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 4 i.e. unless you.
- The error lies in the option 4 due to the wrong usage of the conuunction.
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In the given sentence, the use of the conjunction 'lest' is incorrect. The conjunction 'lest' means with the intention of preventing something undesirable; to avoid the risk of.
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The conjunction 'unless' should be used in place of 'lest' as per the context of the sentence. The conjunction 'unless' means except if (used to introduce the case in which a statement being made is not true or valid).
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'Unless' is followed by a present tense, a past tense, or a past perfect tense (never by a conditional).
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The given sentence is the first conditional sentence, therefore the format should be unless + present tense.
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Therefore, the use of the verb 'will' is superfluous and it should be removed from the sentence.
The correct sentence will be:-
I will not go to the party unless you promise to accompany me.
Hence, the correct answer is Option 4 i.e. unless you.