Need VS Need to

English Grammar has allowed us to use one word in many forms, but that can be not very clear for students at the beginner level. Most of the students get confused due to the many rules used in English grammar, but if you stick to the rules for a short period, you will find grammar as a game.  As everything comes with practice, so is English grammar. 

One of the essential aspects of English grammar is Modal Verbs (will, can, could, shall, may, might, should, would, need.) They make verbs more meaningful. Modal verbs are commonly known as helping verbs or auxiliary verbs.

In this lesson, we are going to learn a semi modal verb, “Need”. Semi modal verbs are also called marginal modal verbs. They act like modal verbs to some extent and like main verbs by combining the infinitive ‘to’. So, let’s begin the work without wasting our time. 

Need as Modal Verb

A few decades ago, ‘Need’ was used as a modal verb, but now it is obsolete. Now it is usually used as the main verb. You can find the usage of need as a modal verb in some old literature books. Need as a semi-modal verb is used to emphasize that there is an obligation to do something. Need as a modal verb is not common and is used in formal contexts. Let’s learn the structure of using need.

Positive/ Affirmative sentences 

Whenever we use need as a modal verb, we don’t need to add -s with it whatever the subject (He, she, it, they, etc.) is.  Another modal verb can’t be used in a sentence in the presence of ‘need’. Most of the time, negative word as a subject is used in affirmative sentences such as nobody, nothing.  

Example:

• You need ask her permission before touching her things.
• Nobody need know the name of the movie. It is not worth watching.
• Not a thing need change in this room.

Negative sentences 

The negative form is formed by adding not after need. You don't need to add 'don't/does not' while using 'need' as a modal verb in a sentence.  

Note: Need not can be contracted as needn't.

Example:

• You need not ask her permission before touching her things.
• She need not know that.
• He need not do home chores at this age.

you can also use ‘need’ with negative adverb ‘hardly.’

Example:

• I need hardly say that I like this dress. 
• We need hardly admit that we were not looking forward to you. 

Interrogative sentences 

Similar other modal verbs, interrogative sentences using need are formed by interchanging the subject and semi modal verb ‘need’. Though the interrogative/question form is not very common, you still need to learn it.

Example:

• Need you ask her permission before touching her things?
• Need she know the name of the boutique?
• Need he come now?
• Need I discuss my job issues with him?

Uses of need as a semi modal verb 

1. To express obligations:

You need complete your homework 

1. No obligations 

You need not spend much time on this presentation.

1. No obligations in the past 

You didn’t need to buy such expensive dresses for her wedding. 

1. Unnecessary events 

You need not have waited for her all these years. 

Short Answers/ Tags 

Question: Need I come again?

Note: If the answer is no, you have to write like this:

Answer: No, you need not. 

Note: If the answer is yes, you have to use must.

Answer: Yes, you must.

‘Need’ as a main verb 

When we use 'need' as a principal verb, we have to add 'to' with it. As a verb, 'need' has verb forms as well: needs and needed. The meaning remains the same as "require something because it is important."  

The structure of 'need to' as a main verb is almost similar to semi-modal verb sentences. You only have to insert 'to' after the main verb 'need'.

Positive/ Affirmative sentences 

When ‘need’ is used as a main verb, it changes with tense and person such as: 

• I, we, you, they need to. 
• He, she, it needs to 
• I, we, you, they, he, she, it needed to. 

Example:

• She needs to help me after completing her assignment. 
• I needed to leave earlier today. (past)
• You need to talk to your family about your scholarship. 
• We need to prepare the supper as soon as possible. 

Negative sentences 

To construct a negative sentence using 'need' as the main verb, you have to use 'don't / doesn't' in the present tense and 'didn't' in the past tense.

Example:

• You don’t need to do this right now; you can do it later. 
• She doesn’t need to buy expensive gifts for her friends. 
• I didn’t need to attend the party because my friends were out of the city. 

Interrogative sentences 

To form interrogative sentences using 'need' as the main verb, you don't have to follow any hard and fast rule. Just use 'do/does/did' before the subject.

Example:

• Does she need to wear a formal dress for her final seminar?
• Do you need to know it?
• Does it need to be perfect all the times?
• Did you need to eat all the medicines at once?

old Format vs New Format 

New Format: you need to find a way out.

Old Format: you need find a way out. 

New Format:  Do we need to stay at your friend’s house?

Old Format: Need we stay at your friend’s house?

Exercise:

Choose the correct answer:

1. Do they need to/ need talk to their principal about the fight?
2. Your hair doesn’t need/ need not cutting for another month.
3. She needs/ need to have a haircut.
4. You don’t need/ need not spend a lot of money on cakes.
5. Need I prepare the assignment again? Yes, you need / you must.

Answer key:

1. Need to 
2. Doesn’t need
3. Need to 
4. Need not 
5. You must.