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Difficulty: HardConjunctions and Clause Structure

Complete the sentence below by supplying the appropriate conjunction that expresses negative purpose and correctly governs the subjunctive clause structure.

Answer:The presiding magistrate ordered the immediate impounding of the vessel, 【lest】 the crew attempt to destroy crucial maritime evidence prior to the tribunal hearing.

Answer

The correct conjunction is 'lest' (or 'for fear that').
The subordinating conjunction 'lest' (meaning 'for fear that' or 'to prevent the possibility that') is used to express negative purpose. Grammatically, clauses introduced by 'lest' require a subjunctive verb in its base form ('attempt') regardless of subject number, making 'lest' the only conjunction that maintains proper clause structure here.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the semantic relationship between the main clause and the subordinate clause.
The main clause describes a preventative action ('ordered the immediate impounding...'), while the subordinate clause expresses an undesirable potential outcome to be prevented ('the crew attempt to destroy...'). This indicates a clause of negative purpose.
Establishing the logical relationship determines the semantic class of conjunction required.
2
Examine the grammatical mood and verb form within the subordinate clause.
The verb 'attempt' is in the uninflected base form (mandative subjunctive) following the collective singular subject 'the crew', rather than the indicative form 'attempts' or past tense 'attempted'.
The subordinating conjunction 'lest' specifically introduces negative purpose clauses and governs either the subjunctive mood (bare infinitive) or 'should + bare infinitive'.

Key Concept

Subordinating Conjunctions of Negative Purpose and Subjunctive Clause Structure
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Topics

Conjunctions and Clause Structure

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