The verb need in English. Modal verb need, constructions didn’t need to vs

This article will talk about a very popular English verb need. It is translated into Russian with the words “to need something”, “to have a need”. In a sentence, this verb can be either semantic or modal. What does this depend on? Read our article to find out. We will tell you about all the features of using the verb need and we will introduce you to the design needn't have done.

When to use the modal verb need in English

Semantic need and modal need- these are two different verbs. Let's see what the features of the modal verb are need:

• this verb does not change tenses, it has one form - need;
• in a sentence it is followed by an infinitive without a particle to – need do something;
• negative sentences are formed using a particle not – need not (needn't) do something;
• in questions need takes first place instead of the auxiliary verb - need somebody do something?

What is a modal verb for? need? This verb is used mainly in negative sentences. It communicates that an action can be performed, but it is not necessary. In translation into Russian we will use the words “not necessary”, “optional”.

You needn't open the window, but you can do it if you want. – No need to open window, but you can do it if you want.

The number of tickets is limited, but they needn't worry. I have already bought a couple. – The number of tickets is limited, but they no need to worry. I've already bought a pair.

In affirmative sentences, the modal verb need occurs mainly in formal contexts. Most often it is accompanied by some kind of negative word ( no one / nobody- nobody, nothing- nothing, never- never). Such phrases are translated into Russian with the words “shouldn’t”, “no need”.

Nobody needs to worry about their safety. – Nobody should worry for your safety.

If you want to express permission not to do something, you can use both a semantic and a modal verb need. The meaning of the phrase will not change.

You needn't water the flower. I have already done it. = You don't need to water the flower. I have already done it. - You no need (you can't) water the flower. I've already done this.

If we are talking about a well-known fact, only the semantic verb should be used need:

You don't need to be very rich to get a good education. – No need (not necessary) be very rich in order to get a good education.

You don't need to be an employee to enter the building. – No need be an employee to enter the building.

When is the semantic verb need used in English?

Semantic verb need tells us that we need some item or need to perform some action. At the semantic need There are such combinations in English:

• To need something- need something.
  

  It's raining outside. I need an umbrella. - It is raining outside. To me need an umbrella.

  A cat is hungry. It needs some food. - The cat is hungry. To him need food.

• To need to do something- to have a need to do something.
  

  He needs to win this game to stay in the team. - To him necessary(He must) win this game to stay on the team.

• To need to do something = to need to be done– something needs/should be done.

  These forms are used when we want to say that some action should be done, but we do not specify who should perform it.

  This room needs cleaning / needs to be cleaned, it's too dirty. - This room need to tidy up, she's too dirty.

  The cat's claws need cutting / need to be cut, they are too long. – Cat's claws needs a haircut, they are too long.

Semantic verb need can be used in negative sentences to say that we don't need something or don't need to do something. Negation is constructed using an auxiliary verb don't/doesn't.

I don't need your money. I can make my own. - To me Not needed your money. I can earn money myself.

He doesn't need to go to the bank tomorrow. He has already been there today. - To him no need go to the bank tomorrow. He was already there today.

Questions with semantic verb need also formed using auxiliary verbs:

Do I need to come to you tomorrow? - To me need to come see you tomorrow?

Does he need to leave? He has just come. - To him need to leave? He just arrived.

As a semantic verb need can be used in past and future tenses:

I needed to see you. - To me had to see you.

I needed your help yesterday. - Yesterday I needed your help.

I will always need you. - You always tell me you will be needed.

He will need to consult a doctor. - To him will need consult your doctor.

Didn't need to vs. needn't have done

To indicate an action in the past, we use forms didn't need to(semantic need) And needn't have done(modal need). Both of them will be translated into Russian with the words “it was not necessary”, “there was no need”. However, there is a difference in meaning between them:

• didn't need to reports that the action was not necessary and we did not perform it;
• needn't have done– there was no need, but we still performed the action.

I didn't need to buy (I didn’t need it, I didn’t buy it)

I needn't have bought a new computer. The old one worked normally. – There was no need to buy new computer. The old one worked fine. (I shouldn't have, but I bought it anyway)

As you can see, the meanings of the word need as semantic and modal verbs are not very different from each other. But in order to use the verb need That's right, you need to know some nuances. We hope we managed to clarify them and you will actively use need in his speech.

And in order to practice using the verb need in practice, we suggest you take our test.

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Test

Modal verb need in English

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Fill in the blanks with suitable forms of the verb need.

Exercise 1.

The wind is very strong today. You... put your coat on.

Task 2.

This flower doesn't look well. It...watering.

Task 3.

No one… know the name of the candidate.

Task 4.

My boots are dirty. They…cleaning.

Must mustn’t needn’t

You must do something = it is necessary that you do this:

• Don't tell anybody what I said. You must keep it a secret.
• We haven't got much time. We must hurry.

You mustn't do something = it is necessary that you do this Not did (so don't do this):

• You must keep it a secret. You mustn't tell anybody else. (= don't tell anyone)
• We must be very quiet. We mustn't make any noise.

You needn't do something = you don't have to do this (but you can do it if you want):

• You can come with me if you like, but you needn't come if you don't want to. (= there is no need for you to come with me)
• We've got plenty of time. We needn't hurry. (= no need to rush)

Instead of needn't you can use don't/doesn't need to. So, you can say:

• We needn't hurry. or We don't need to hurry.

Remember what we say don't need to do, But needn't do (without to).

Needn't have (done)

Study the following situation:

Paul had to go out. He thought it was going to rain, so he took the umbrella.
Paul needed to get out of the house. He thought it would rain, so he took an umbrella.

Later

But it didn’t rain, so the umbrella was not necessary. So he needn't have taken it.
But it didn't rain, so there was no need for an umbrella. Therefore, he there was no need his take.

He needn't have taken the umbrella = He took the umbrella, but there was no need.

Compare needn't(do) ​​and needn't have(done):

• Everything will be OK. You needn't worry. (not necessary)
• Everything was OK. You needn't have worried. (you were worried, but there was no need)

Didn't need to(do) ​​and needn't have(done)

I didn't need to... = I didn't need it... (and at that moment I knew about it):

• I didn't need to get up early, so I didn’t.
• I didn't need to get up early, but it was a lovely morning, so I did.

I didn't have to...also possible in these examples.

I needn't have done something = I did it, but Now I see that there was no need then:

• I got up very early because I had to get ready to go away. But in fact it didn’t take me long to get ready. So, I needn't have got up so early. I could have stayed in bed longer.

Exercises

1. Complete the sentences using needn’t + the following verbs:

ask come explain leave tell walk

1. We've got plenty of time. We yet.
2. I can manage the shopping alone. You with me.
3. We all the way home. We can get a taxi.
4. Just help yourself if you’d like more to eat. You first.
5. We can keep this a secret between ourselves. We anybody else.
6. I understand the situation perfectly. You further.

2. Complete the sentences by choosing must, mustn’t or needn’t.

1. We haven't got much time. We hurry.
2. We've got plenty of time. We hurry.
3. We have enough food at home, so we mustn’t needn’t go shopping today.
4. Gary gave me a letter to post. I mustn’t needn’t remember to post it.
5. Gary gave me a letter to post. I mustn’t needn’t forget to post it.
6. There’s plenty of time for you to make up your mind. You mustn't needn't decide now.
7. You mustn’t needn’t wash those tomatoes. They've already been washed.
8. This is a valuable book. You mustn’t needn’t look after it carefully and you must mustn’t needn’t lose it.
9. A: What sort of house do you want to buy? Something big?
   B: Well, it mustn’t needn’t be big - that’s not so important. But it mustn’t needn’t have a nice garden - that’s essential.

3. Read the situations and make sentences with needn’t have.

1. Paul went out. He took an umbrella because he thought it was going to rain. But it didn't rain.
   
2. Linda bought some eggs when she went shopping. When she got home, she found that she already had plenty of eggs.
   
3. A colleague got angry with you at work. He shouted at you, which you thought was unnecessary. Later you say to him:
   
4. Brian had money problems, so he sold his car. A few days later he won some money in a lottery.
   
5. We took a video camera with us on holiday, but we didn’t use it in the end.
   
6. I thought I was going to miss my train, so I rushed to the station. But the train was late and in the end I had to wait twenty minutes.
   

In English speech there are modal verbs that require special attention while learning. Modal verbs are very different from standard verbs, which can be regular or irregular: they have no forms, singular or plural, they are not inflected, and all pronouns are used the same way. Today we will look at the modal verb need and the features of its use, and also give examples in English with translation.

Modal verb need: features of use

To begin with, let us immediately note that the semantic verb need and modal need are completely different concepts. To understand the intricacies of using both, here are the nuances of using modal verb need =>

1. The verb cannot be changed, that is, it is not used in present, past, future in separate forms. There is only one form for it - need. It is appropriate for all tenses, cases and pronouns.
2. When we use this modal verb in a sentence, we omit the particle to (after need there is an infinitive without to) => need speak to somebody; need drive the car; need clean the table; need not go to school.
3. If we are talking about negative sentences, then add the particle not => need not, needn’t (need not ask somebody for help).
4. When we form an interrogative sentence, we put need first (no auxiliary verb is used) => Need Mary clean the table?

Attention! The modal verb need is often used in negative sentences. The function of the verb is => the action can be done, but there is no need for it.

Examples:

• You need not ask Sarah for help if you don’t want to. “You don't have to ask Sarah for help if you don't want to.”
• You need not wash the dishes by hands. Yesterday we bought a washing machine. -You don't have to wash the plates by hand. Yesterday we bought a dishwasher.
• You need to do it by yourself. No one will help you or even give you an advice. -You need to do it yourself. No one will help you or even give you advice.

Other English topics: Past Continuous words indicators

When the topic of the question is affirmative sentences, then this verb will most often be used in formal speech.

Note! Modal verb need is adjacent to some word of a negative nature. These could be words like nothing, no one, nobody etc.

Example:

• No one need ask for permission to show their rights. - No one should ask for permission to show their rights.

Let us give some more examples, where we will clearly show in what situation each type of modal and semantic verb is used:

• They need not wash the dishes. Mom has already done it<=>They do not need to wash the dishes. Mom has already done it. — They don't need to wash the dishes. Mom has already done this => the translation will be the same for two sentences.
• People don’t need to be educated to behave polite. People don't need education to behave politely.
• You don’t need to be a participant to take part in this game. - You don't need to be a member to take part in the game.

The verb need in English – interesting topic. Learn a little bit and gradually move on to more difficult points.

Designs didn't need to vs. needn't have done: differences and features of use

When we talk about an action that happened in the past, we use the following constructions: didn't need to (semantic need) And needn't have done (modal need):

• needn’t have done – there was no need, but we still did the action;
• didn’t need to – the action was not done.

I need not have baked the cookies ‘cause my mom bought a lot of them. Though I decided to welcome my guests with hand made bakery => There was no need to bake cookies because mom bought enough of them. But I still decided to treat my guests to baked goods that I made myself.

Other English topics: What is the difference between offer, suggest and propose - shades of meaning and application

My neighbor didn’t need to buy a new bicycle. His old one was completely repaired => My neighbor didn't need to buy a new bike. His old one has been completely renovated.

Let's sum it up

The modal verb need in English is one of the most commonly used. The semantic verb need and the modal verb have a subtle parallel with each other. This means that the two words are very similar. Sometimes it is even difficult to distinguish their meaning, then you need to get out of the meaning of the text.

There are constructions in the English language that include modal verbs. Such constructions can also be used in the past simple. When exactly which verb to use is given in the article with examples and translation. Important! Always pay attention to the translation. This way you can understand the topic faster and easier.

Remember that it is only difficult at first, then, when you have a knowledge base, learning will become easier. As they say, Moscow was not built right away. Develop your own systematics and practice regularly.

Good luck and new achievements!

In this lesson we will take a closer look at modal verbs and constructions that express the absence of the need to do something. We will see examples of their use and find out grammatical features and semantic differences.

Example:

She needn't come with us if she doesn't want to.

However, if we use the didn't need to structure, we indicate that there was no need to perform the action, and it does not matter to us whether we ultimately did it or not.

Don’t need to---------didn’t need to+infinitive

Example:

I didn't need to take my umbrella. (We don't know whether he took the umbrella or not)

I didn’t need to wash the dishes because there was a dishwasher in the kitchen. (We don't know whether he washed the dishes by hand or not.)

Most often, didn't need to means that the action was NOT performed because it was not necessary.

Example:

I didn’t need to do my homework so we went to the movies. (NOT: I needn’t have done my homework so we went to the movies).

I didn’t need to hear that so I didn’t answer when he called back three more times.

(NOT: I needn’t have heard that so I didn’t answer when he called back three more times).

Open the brackets using either needn’t have or didn’t need to.

1. We had plenty of petrol in the tank so I (fill up).

2. I (prepare) all that food. They phoned to say they wouldn’t be coming.

3. We (wait) for long for them. They arrived just after us.

4. Today was the last day of school and we (attend) classes in the afternoon.

5. I (take) any money to the museum - I didn’t realize it was free to enter.

6. I (work) today but I went as I knew they were really busy on this new contract.

7. You (say) anything to Carla about the broken vase. She found out anyway.

8. Our boss told us we had an extra three days to finish the project so we (work) so hard.

Answers: 1. didn't need to; 2. needn't have prepared; 3. didn't need to; 4. didn't need to; 5. needn't have taken; 6. didn't need to; 7. needn't have said; 8. didn't need to.

There is another verb that expresses the absence of necessity - don"t have to; we can use it instead of don’t need to and needn’t, without changing the meaning.

For example, the phrase "he doesn't need to get up early" can be translated into English in three ways:

• He doesn't have to get up early.
• He doesn't need to get up early.
• He doesn't need to get up early.

The construction don"t have to can be used in the present, past and future tenses.

PresentSimple:

You don’t have to come early (see example of use in Figure 3).

Past Simple:

You didn't have to come early.

Future Simple:

You won't have to come early.

Rice. 3. Don"t have to () construction

Dialogue

Read the dialogue and pay attention to the usage of needn’t, don’t need to and don’t have to.

A student is asking the teacher about his homework.

Teacher: You don’t have to write a long essay; a short one will be okay!

Student: What about the grammar exercise? Do we need to revise the lesson before we can do it?

Teacher: No, you needn’t do the exercise at home as we will surely do it together in the next English lesson.

Student: Okay! Good bye, sir.

Homework

Choose the correct option:

• You needn’t have bought/don’t have to buy any eggs. I've got plenty.
• You don’t need to finish/ needn’t have finished the work if you are to leave, it can wait.
• I needn’t go / didn’t have to go there. Nobody came anyway.
• — How much did you pay for the yesterday’s performance?

— I didn’t need to/needn’t have paid: I was given an invitation.

• She doesn’t need to use /needn’t have used my laptop.
• He didn’t have to go/ needn’t have gone, everyone was glad to see him.

Insert the most appropriate verb expressing the absence of necessity. Remember, WhatoptionsMaybebesome.

• You _______ pay for internet in Sweden, because there’s free wi-fi everywhere.
• I________called her. She wasn’t glad to hear me at all.
• John ________ work next Wednesday. It’s his birthday so I’m giving him a day-off.
• I _________ help Sarah. She said she wanted to prepare everything herself.
• Kelly ________ gone to Boston to visit her father. He turned out to leave the city.
• James _______ wash his clothes himself. His sister always does this for him.

Translate the following sentences:

• You didn't have to come to the hospital. It was closed.
• In America, military personnel do not have to pay for treatment - it is free.
• You don't need to submit this poem today - I'm in a hurry for a meeting.
• You didn't have to lie to Mary: she never tells other people's secrets.
• The young girl did not need to take these medications, she did not drink.

and as a regular (semantic) verb.

Need as a regular verb

As a regular verb need means " required«, « need". Regular verb need used as a regular verb (takes the ending –s in the third person singular form, takes the ending –ed in the past tense form, interrogative and negative sentences are formed using an auxiliary verb, etc.). After a regular verb need followed by an infinitive with a particle to.

For example:

One needs to be punctual. -You need to be punctual.

He needed some more time to decide the question. - He needed more time to resolve the issue.

Do you need to go now?-Do you have to leave now?

I don't need to talk to him. - I don't need to talk to him.

This means there is no need due to external circumstances.

You don't need to change. It's a straight line. -You don't need to change seats. This is a straight line.

Need as a modal verb

As a modal verb need has only the present tense form and is used only in interrogative and negative sentences with the meaning of the need to perform an action or lack thereof - “ need to«, « necessary«.

For example:

You need not work today. - You don't have to work today.

Need I go now?-I need to go now?

Need do we reserve seats? -Do we need to make reservations?

After an insufficient verb need followed by an infinitive without a particle to, and it doesn't accept endings –s in the third person singular form.

For example:

He need don't wait.(AND NOT He needs not wait.) - He doesn't need to wait.

You need not come. - There's no need for you to come.

Interrogative and negative sentences with insufficient verb need are formed without the help of auxiliary verbs.

For example:

Need I come again? ( but not Do I need to come again?) - Do I need to come again?

Need is rarely used as an insufficient verb in American English; the verb is preferred instead have to.

Using the modal verb need

Need as a modal verb it can be used to ask permission, or to give permission. It is not used to describe ordinary, habitual, regular actions.

Compare:

You need not work today. -You don't have to work today.

(Need )

You don't need to work on Sundays. -You don't have to work on Sundays.

(Need )

You need don't pay for this call. - You don't have to pay for this call.

(Need used as an insufficient verb, it describes a special case.)

In most countries, you don’t need to pay for emergency calls. - In most countries you do not have to pay for emergency calls.

(Need used as a regular verb, it describes a general case.)

Need not used in negative questions:

Need I wait any longer? - How much longer do I (need) to wait?

Need he come again? - Does he need to come again?

If the answer to a question with a verb need negative, I must say "No, he need not", or "No, you need not". But if the answer is yes, the verb is used must:"Yes, he must", or "Yes, you must".

Need not + perfect infinitive

Structure need not + perfect infinitive indicates that an unnecessary action was taken.

They need don't have come all this way. -They didn't need to come here. (They came here, but there was no need for it.)

We need not have waited for his approval. - Us there was no need to wait his approval. ( We waited for his approval, but it was not necessary.)

You need don't have bought a new car. - Didn't have to buy new car.

You need not have paid for that call. - There was no need to pay for this call.

note that need not have doesn't mean the same thing as did not need to. Usage did not need to it only shows that there was no need to perform the action, and it does not matter whether it was actually performed or not.

Compare:

I need don't have bought the book. -I didn't need to buy the book. -I didn't need to buy the book.

Both English sentences above are translated into Russian in the same way, however, the first sentence emphasizes that the book was purchased, although this was not necessary, while the second sentence only emphasizes the absence of the need to purchase the book, and it is not known whether it was actually purchased in fact.

Need + present participle

In British English after need can be used "-ing" form verb. Using this structure has the same meaning as using a verb in the passive voice.

For example:

Your hair needs washing. (= Your hair needs to be washed.) - Your hair needs to be washed.

The carpet needs cleaning. (= The carpet needs to be cleaned.) -The carpet needs to be cleaned.

The roof needs repairing. - The roof needs to be fixed.

So, once again about the difference between using it as a regular (semantic) and as a modal verb.