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Log inMODALITY
Need to is an ordinary verb: it takes -s and uses do / does / did. Needn't is a modal: no -s, no to, and the base verb follows it directly.
| Present | Past | |
|---|---|---|
| + | I need to go | I needed to go |
| − | I don't need to go / I needn't go | I didn't need to go |
| ? | Do you need to go? | Did you need to go? |
He / she / it: she needs to · After don't / doesn't / didn't: need to · Needn't + base verb, no to · Past, but it was not necessary: you needn't have bought
Use need to when something is necessary. Add -s after he / she / it, and use do / does for questions.
subject+ need(s) to+ base verb
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I to buy some milk.
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she need to wear a uniform?
Does Questions with she start with does.
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Do you to wait?
Don't need to means it is not necessary. It does not mean it is forbidden. After don't / doesn't keep need to and the base verb.
subject+ don't / doesn't need to+ base verb
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He come with us if he is busy.
doesn't need to He + doesn't need to.
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You wear a tie. It's optional.
don't need to Not necessary: don't need to.
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She need to wait for us.
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We need to book. It's free.
Use didn't need to for something that was not necessary in the past. After didn't use need, not needed.
subject+ didn't need to+ base verb
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They didn't to wait long.
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He to wait. The doctor was free.
didn't need Didn't + need.
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We to book a table. The restaurant was empty.
didn't need Past + not necessary: didn't need to.
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Needn't means the same as don't need to. It is a modal: no -s and no to after it.
subject+ needn't+ base verb
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She needn't the door.
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She wait for me.
needn't Needn't does not take -s.
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She needn't waits for me.
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We hurry. There is plenty of time.
Use needn't have and the past participle for something you did, but it was not necessary. Didn't need to does not say if it happened.
subject+ needn't have+ past participle
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You needn't have me a gift.
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They so early. The shop was still closed.
needn't have arrived Needn't have + past participle.
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One word is in the wrong form. Type the correct form.
You needn't have buy me a gift.