What tense should I use after the conjunction 'lest'? Must it always be an infinitive?



eg. 1 I have to be sharp and clever lest I go hungry? (infinitive)


eg. 2 John and his friends feared lest the inquiry promised into the extent of the hated forest areas would be carried out too rigorously? (past tense?).


Are both examples acceptable? I've read somewhere that the clause after 'lest' is usually in subjunctive mood and therefore the tense should be an infinitive? Are there other possibilities?


Thank you very much!




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