The difference between the modal verb need and the regular one. Infinitive particle to and modal verbs

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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Modal verb need in English

The modal verb need is very popular in English. The main meaning of this verb is a message about the need to do something or its absence.

Characteristics of the verb need

It is believed that the modal verb need is used exclusively in negative sentences, when the speaker reports the absence of a need for something, or in questions when the interlocutor wants to know whether he really needs to perform an action. In this case, the only form of the verb need is the Present Simple.

As a modal verb, need does not add the ending -s/es in the 3rd person singular. In questions and denials, he does without assistants.

Your parents and you needn’t go to the hospital as you don’t have any serious disease. – You and your parents do not need to go to the hospital, since you do not have any serious illness.
Jane needsn't go to the post office. The postman has just brought the parcel himself. Jane doesn't need to go to the post office. The postman has just delivered the parcel himself.
Need he go to school in the summer? – Does he have to go to school in the summer?
Need we watch this film? – Should we watch this film?

In affirmative answers to questions with need, use the verb must (must, obliged). And in negative answers to interrogative sentences with must, on the contrary, they use needn’t.

The modal verb need can be paired with a perfect infinitive (Perfect Infinitive) – have + 3rd form of the verb. Then the speaker reports that the action taken was in vain, and could have been done without it.

Jill needn't have the letter written to granny. She could phone her. – Jill wrote a letter to her grandmother in vain. She could have called her.
The parcel needn’t have been sent by air mail. It wasn't urgent. – The parcel did not have to be sent by air mail. It wasn't urgent.

The semantic verb need

If the speaker needs to communicate a need for something in the future or past, a semantic rather than a modal verb comes to the rescue. The semantic verb need has three past forms: need-needed-needed. He uses helping verbs in questions and negatives.

My mom needs a good rest after working hard for the whole year. – My mother needs a good rest after working hard all year.
My sister doesn’t need to study in the summer. – My sister doesn’t have to study in the summer.
I have learned the rule. I won't need any help. - I learned the rule. I won't need any help.
Jack needed some advice from his granny. Jack needed advice from his grandmother.

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What have we learned?

The modal verb need is often used by the British in speech and writing. It is needed to ask about the need to perform an action or to report the absence of a need for something. In the past and future tenses, the modal need is replaced by the semantic one.

Another verb that is worth considering in more detail is the modal verb need - “to have a need for something”, “to need”. Its main feature is that this verb can act both as a modal and as a semantic one, while being subject to the rules of the group to which it belongs in a given context. Let's look at all these cases in more detail

As a modal

The modal verb need in English has all the same characteristics that are inherent in the entire group of modal verbs: it does not need an auxiliary verb to form questions and negations, does not have an -s ending in the Present Simple, and is always followed by an infinitive without the particle to.

To need has only one form, so in order to show that the action belongs to a certain time, we will use various forms of the infinitive

Shades of meaning modal verb need

1) Need as a modal verb is mainly used in the interrogative or negative form need not, where it means “there is no need”, “not necessary”, being in such a context a synonym for the construction don’t have to. Using this construction, we can describe an action that is not prohibited, but not obligatory.

You needn’t look for a new job, I heard we would get a salary rise here. – There is no need for you to look for a new job, I heard that wages are expected to increase here.

2) Another characteristic feature of this modal verb is that it has the meaning of a one-time, rather than regular or repeating action

Need I take off my coat in this freezing room? — Do I need to take off my coat in this incredibly cold room? (We are talking about one specific case)

Please note that these types of questions also have an additional connotation - they imply doubt that this is really the case or suggest a negative answer. In the following example, this can be seen by the adverb “exactly” added in the translation.

Need I take these pills now? They make me feel sleepy and I have to drive yet. – Do I really need to take these pills now? They make me drowsy, and I still have to drive.

It is worth noting that if the answer to the question is positive, then the verb must be replaced with must

Need I take these pills now?
Yes, you must / No, you need not

NB! The rule with must works in exactly the same way when the answer is “no”.
Must I tell him the truth? - Should I (should I) tell him the truth?
No, you needn’t - No, it’s not necessary.

3) In affirmative constructions, the verb is usually accompanied by negative pronouns or adverbs and when translated into Russian the construction will sound negative

Nobody need make any extra payments - Nobody should make any additional payments

In the role of semantic

Acting in this role, he acquires all the qualities characteristic of regular verbs:

he needs auxiliary verbs to form questions and negatives in different tense forms

Do you need my help – Do you need my help?

The 2nd form of the verb need is formed by adding the ending –ed,
in Present Simple 3l. units numbers have the ending –s,
after the verb we use the infinitive with the particle to

You need to find the solution - you need to find a solution

The verb forms are presented in more detail in the table:

In such a function, the verb conveys several basic meanings:

need (or not need) something

I need a good rest - I need a good rest

need (or not need) something to be done

My clothes need washing (to be washed). – My things need to be washed.

to construct sentences in the past and future tenses

Important Differences

There are sentences with need, where it can be used both as a semantic verb and as a modal verb without changing the meaning

For example, if we give permission to do something

You needn’t look after your sister tonight, I will stay at home. You don’t need to look after your sister tonight, I will stay at home.

There are times when we can only choose one option. So, for example, if we describe a known fact, we must use a semantic verb

You don’t need to have a lot of money to travel by bus. – You don’t need to have a lot of money to travel by bus

And there are also cases when we can use both options, but the meanings of the sentences will be different

You need not have gone there - You didn’t need to go there (but you went anyway)
You didn’t need to go there - You didn’t need to go there (whether we went or not, we don’t know)

Both sentences will be translated the same way, but in the first example it indicates that the action was still performed, and in the second we do not know this

These are the main characteristics and features of the use of this interesting verb, which at first glance seems simple and unpretentious, but in fact is very multifaceted and rich in additional meanings. It has probably become an integral part of your speech for a long time, and now you also know all its secrets.

The verb need in English is presented with examples.

Previous topics have covered several modal verbs, and in this topic the verb need will be examined in detail. The verb need in English can be used both as a modal and as a semantic verb. Study the verb need as a modal.

We use the modal verb need when we want to express the need to perform some action. At the same time, it is translated as necessary, necessary. In this meaning, need is used only in the Present Simple tense in negative and interrogative sentences. In these cases, the infinitive combined with the verb need is used without the particle to.

Study some examples.

The negative form of the verb need is formed using the negative particle not, which is placed after the verb. The following abbreviation is used in writing and in colloquial speech: need not = needn"t.

You needn"t bring the documents - You do not need (there is no need) to bring documents.
You needn"t write a composition - You don’t need (no need) to write an essay.
She needn"t buy the tickets - She doesn’t need (no need) to buy tickets.
Need Mary talk to him? - Does Maria need to talk to him? (Is it necessary for Maria to talk to him?)
Need he change money? - Does he need to change money? (Is there a need for him to change the money?)
The article needsn't be translated today - This article does not need to be translated today.

It must be taken into account that when answering a question with the verb need, you should use must.

Need I call her? - Should I call her?
- Yes, you must - Yes, it is necessary.

The rule with the verb must applies similarly when the answer is negative.

Must I invite him to a party? - Should I (should I) invite him to the party?
No, you needn"t - No, don’t.

You should also remember that you can use both needn"t and don"t/doesn"t need to. Remember that when we say

don"t/doesn"t need, you need to put the particle to.
You don"t need to send the letter - You don’t need to send a letter.

Study the verb need as a semantic verb.

In this case it has the meaning of need. In such sentences, need can be used not only in the present, but also in the past and future tenses.

Study some examples.

You need his support - You need his support.
She doesn't need my laptop - She doesn't need my laptop.
Do you need my money - Do you need my money?
She needed your help - She needed your help.
We will need his car - We will need his car.

In English, the verb need has a special position. As a semantic one, it does not cause any particular difficulties and expresses the need for something. But need can only be used in a negative sense, and in this case it expresses the lack of need for something.

Using the modal verb need

The verb need is different from other modal verbs. The fact is that it is modal only in a negative sense. Therefore, it is also called semi-modal. As a modal verb, need is used to express the lack of obligation or need to do something. In the affirmative form, another is used instead.

Let's look at the function of the modal verb need using an example:

He must read- He must read.

This statement can have two negative forms, which merge in Russian:

He is forbidden to read (“He must not read”).
No one requires him to read (“He must not read”).

In the first case, must not is used, but in the second case, the modal verb need not is needed. In this case, it is not necessary that there be a negative particle not, the main thing is that the meaning of the sentence is negative. As after all modal verbs, the particle to will not be used after the modal need.

Examples:

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You needn't worry about English exam– You don’t have to worry about the English exam.
No one need to be surprised at what happened“No one should be surprised by what happened.”
You need only just ask the ambassador“You just need to ask the ambassador.”
I doubt whether I need help you in learning English– I doubt whether I need to help you learn English.
No one need think that we are doing this every week“No one should think that we do this every week.”
Nobody needs to know the name of the person who made the complaint“Nobody needs to know the name of the person who filed the complaint.”
Not a thing needs change on page 3– Nothing needs to be changed on page 3.
Cans of soup needn’t be kept in the refrigerator– Cans of soup do not need to be stored in the refrigerator.

Using the semantic verb need

Need as a main verb expresses the need for something and will be used in two ways.

Before another verb.
In this case, need requires a to particle after itself:

I need to talk to you about English lesson– I need to discuss English lesson with you.
I don’t need to be told that I should pass that test“I don’t need to explain that I have to pass this test.
If you want good results, you will need to learn English harder– If you expect a good result, you must study English harder.
Before a noun or pronoun:
We need more volunteers– We need more volunteers.
We have got what we needed“We got what we needed.”
I need more time to decide the question– I need more time to resolve this issue.
He needs our help- He needs our help

If the tense is past, then need changes to needed:

The ambassador needed to sleep before the meeting– The ambassador should have gotten some sleep before the meeting.
Why did they need to go the distance?– Why did they need to go the entire distance?
I needed to join English club - their host is british ambassador!– I needed to join the English club - they have a leading British ambassador!

Difference between need not and don't need to

At first glance, there is no difference between a modal verb and the negative form of the main verb. However, if you dig deeper, it shows up. Let's look at this with an example. Offer:

I needn't learn English
I don't need to learn English

Both versions translate as “I don’t have to learn English.” However, in the first version, this means that no one requires the speaker to learn English. And in the second case, it is implied that the speaker simply does not need this.