Grammar | Modals-Need

English Grammar

Modal of need 

Definition:

Need is normal verb when it is following by a noun, not by an infinitive.

1_Question:      ........(He, need) his dictionary today? (Don't say need he).

2_Statement:    yes, he ........(Need) his dictionary today. (Don't say he need).

3_Negative:      no, he ...........( Need, not ) his dictionary today.( Don't say he need ' t ).

B) Need as a normal verb following by ING

Need can be following by Ground when the meaning of the sentences is as equivalent for Must - passive infinitive.

1- The Tyre must be required.= The Tyre..............( Don't say must be Tyre Need ).

2- This knife must be sharpened.= This knife.......

3- The garden must be

watered.= The garden........

4- Your pair of trousers must be lengthened. = Your pair of trousers.........

NOTE: 

1.(Need) always behaves like an ordinary verb in affirmative sentences.

*He needs his dictionary today. Don't say he need.

*He needs to study hard.

2.(Need) can be behave like a modal In negative And interrogative sentences:

*Need he go now? Or does he need to go now?

*No, he need not go now. Or he doesn't need to go.

A) Present:

1- Statement: it s necessary for him to buy a car. He ....... buy a car.

( Don't say he need buy ).

*He must buy a car is also possible.

2- Negative: need as modal is frequent in negative sentences. We have already seen that it's an equivalent for don't have to/ haven't got to.

1) it isn't necessary for you to worry.= You...... worry.

2) you are not obligated to answer now = you...........answer now

3) it isn't necessary for you to read all these books, is it?

a/ You needn't......

b/ You don't have to.....

3- Questions:

1) Is it necessary for me to come again?

2) Is it necessary for him to wait for them?

In the first example, need I? Is a synonym for must I? The only difference is, as we've already seen, that with need I? You except a negative answer.

B) Past :

1- Statement: It s necessary for him to go to the hospital. He ...... go to the hospital. ( Had to is also possible ).

2- Negative: It wasn't necessary for him to shorten my trousers.

a/ I didn't need to shorten my trousers. ( Means I didn't do it )

b/ I needn't have shortened my trousers. ( Means I really do it )

3- Questions: *Was it necessary for him to go and see the doctor?

                      *Need he have gone to see the doctor?

                      *Did he need to go and see the doctor?

4- Reported speech: In reported speech introduced by a past verb, needn't remains needn't.

1/ "You needn't get up early during the holidays," she told me.

- She told me ( that ) I.....

2/ " You needn't worry?" I assumed him.

- I assumed h ( that ) he.....

C) Future:

In the future, both present and future forms of need are possible.

E.g: *He will be obliged to bring his bicycle next need.

        *He need to bring his bicycle next week.

1 Statement: *He need to bring his bicycle next week. ( He ........bring ).

                     *He will have to bring his bicycle next week.

2-Negative: It won't be necessary for you to come early tomorrow.

You needn't com/ don't need to come/ haven't got to come/ won't need to come early tomorrow.

3-Questions: *will it be necessary for you to come early tomorrow?

  *Need you come/ do you need to come/ must you come/ do you have to come/ will you need to come early tomorrow?

D) Past negative of need :

a) didn't need to meet ( means the action didn't take place ).

b) needn't that have met ( means the action did take place )

*I didn't need to meet her . Means ( there was no need, so I didn't meet her ).

*I needn't have met her. Means ( I did meet her, but there was really no need ).