NEED

Semi-Modal verb NEED

Some verbs have characteristics of both modal verbs and main verbs. Because of this, they are called semi-modals. An example of this kind of verbs is NEED.

NEED as a modal verb

NEED as a modal verb has all the characteristics typical for modal verbs:

👉it’s followed by the base form of a main verb;

👉does not change in form: do not add -s to the form that goes with he, she, and it; do not apply -ing form;

👉does not make DO questions;

👉expresses modality – absence of necessity and obligation;

Ex: You needn’t go to school tomorrow, it’s a holiday.

She needn’t worry about the exam.

Need she worry about the exam?

Uses of NEED as a modal verb:

Mainly used in negative sentences or in positive sentences with a negative meaning (this means to include words that have a negative meaning such as: only, never, no one, nobody, nothing, etc.)

1. Use NEED when you want to express lack of obligation or necessity:

You needn’t come to the party if you don’t want to.

You needn’t tell me.

2. Use NEED when you want to give advice, a suggestion, a recommendation:

You needn’t worry.

He needn’t take it seriously.

This needn’t take long.

Need I tell you what to do?

Note: NEED as a modal verb also occurs in interrogative sentences (questions), but this use is much more formal and it’s very rare:

Need you make so much noise?

Past tense:

NEED as a modal verb does not have a past tense form.

Needn't + have + past participle, is used for actions which were performed but were unnecessary:

We needn't have bought any milk. We still have plenty at home. 

(we bought some milk, but it wasn't necessary)

NEED as a main verb

NEED as a main verb also has all the characteristics typical for main verbs:

👍it’s followed by to + infinitive;

👍changes in form with person, number and tense;

makes DO/DOES/DID questions;

👍NEED as a main verb expresses that something is necessary (could be replaced with have to);

Ex: You need to bring these books back to the library today.

He needs to call his parents. He doesn’t need to call his parents.

Does he need to call someone?

Uses of NEED as a main verb:

NEED as a main verb followed by TO = NEED TO

NEED TO is used in positive statements, negative statements or questions with DO/DOES/DID.

1. Use NEED TO when you want to express that something is necessary;

NEED TO = HAVE TO

Present tense:

I need to talk to you about something.

He needs to make a phone call.

She needs to take a bath.

I don't need to be told what to do.

Does she need a doctor?

Past tense:

The past tense of the main verb NEED TO is NEEDED TO. It refers to something that was necessary in the past:

I needed to stay alone.

Why did she need to visit the dentist?

The negative form DIDN’T NEED TO + infinitive normally refers to something that was unnecessary and was not performed in the past:

We didn't need to buy any milk. We had plenty at home.

(we didn't have to buy any milk, and we didn't buy any)

Future tense:

I will need to make my own decisions.

She will need time to recover.

They will need to change the lock of the front door.

Will they need to install an alert system?

Read more about:

Модални глаголи 😃 Modal verbs

CAN - COULD
MAY - MIGHT
WILL
WOULD
SHALL
SHOULD
MUST
DARE
OUGHT TO
HAD BETTER
NEED
BE ABLE TO