Is it “less I forget” or “lest I forget”?

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s correct to say “less I forget” or “lest I forget,” you’re not alone. This is a common question, and it’s easy to mix up the two because they sound similar. However, only one of these phrases is correct, and understanding its meaning will help you use it properly.

The correct phrase is “lest I forget”

The correct expression is “lest I forget.” The word “lest” is an old English term that means “in case” or “to prevent something from happening.” So, when you say “lest I forget,” you’re essentially saying, “in case I forget, let me mention this now.”

For example:

• Lest I forget, thank you for helping me with the project.
• I need to remind you about the meeting tomorrow, lest I forget.

In these examples, the phrase is used to introduce something important that you don’t want to overlook.

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Why “less I forget” is wrong

The phrase “less I forget” doesn’t make sense in English. The word “less” is used to compare quantities, like in these examples:

• I have less money than I did yesterday.
• We should spend less time on social media.

Using “less” in the context of forgetting creates a grammatical error because “less” doesn’t mean “in case” or “to prevent.”

More examples of “lest I forget” in sentences

Here are a few more examples to show how “lest I forget” is used:

• Lest I forget, please remind me to pick up the groceries on my way home.
• I need to send her a thank-you note, lest I forget about it later.
• Lest I forget, happy birthday to your sister!

In all these cases, the speaker is acknowledging something they don’t want to forget to mention or do.

Summarily, the correct phrase is “lest I forget,” not “less I forget.” Remember, “lest” means “in case” or “to prevent forgetting,” while “less” is used for comparing quantities. If you want to sound clear and accurate, stick with “lest I forget” whenever you’re trying to remind yourself or others about something important.

Now you know the difference, and lest I forget—thanks for reading.