Clauses of Apprehension: как бы не
To explain that you're taking action to prevent an unwanted event, use the phrase как бы не ("lest", "in case", or "for fear that").
| He needs to set a new password, lest a hacker hack the server. | Ему нужно поставить новый пароль, как бы хакер не взломал сервер. |
Because the phrase contains the conditional particle бы, the verb that follows must always be in the past tense—even when talking about a potential future risk.
| We need to install an antivirus, lest a scammer encrypt your files. | Нам надо установить антивирус, как бы мошенник не зашифровал твои файлы. |
As always with the past tense, the verb must agree with its subject in gender and number (for example, taking the plural -ли ending for "they").
| We encrypted the backup server, lest they steal the information. | Мы зашифровали резервный сервер, как бы они не украли информацию. |
Word order in these clauses is flexible. The subject often sits between как бы and не, but it can also follow the verb entirely.
| You need to make a backup copy, lest a leak happen. | Тебе надо сделать резервную копию, как бы не случилась утечка. |
This structure is extremely common when discussing physical and digital safety precautions, like installing a sensor (датчик) or an alarm system (сигнализация).
| Yesterday we installed a sensor, lest someone turn off the alarm system. | Вчера мы установили датчик, как бы кто-нибудь не отключил сигнализацию. |
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