<h1>Use of "need" as a semi-modal verb</h1><h2>Uso de "need" como verbo semi modal</h2>

As a semi-modal verb “need” can be acting not only as modal verb but also as a main verb.

The main uses of “need “acting as a modal verb:

I) In negative declarative (declarative sentence: the subject precedes the verb), to express absence of obligation.   A declarative sentence states or rejects something emphatically.   We use the negative form of “need” (needn’t) without using any auxiliary verb.   It is followed by the bare infinitive (infinitive form without “to”):

Here we have an example:

She needn’t pay in advance if she’s not sure about coming.   We needn’t hurry. The film doesn’t start till 6.

 

Como verbo semimodal “need” puede actuar como verbo modal y principal.

Los principales usos de “need” actuando como verbo modal:

I) En oraciones negativas declarativas (en las oraciones declarativas el sujeto precede al verbo), para expresar ausencia de obligación.   Una oración declarativa afirma o niega algo con fuerza.   Usamos la forma negativa de “need”(needn’t) sin usar ningún verbo auxiliar.   Estará seguido del “bare infinitive” (la forma del infinitivo sin el “to” delante):   En recuadro anterior dispones de un claro ejemplo de su uso.

 

 

II) In affirmative and interrogative sentences but are much rarer and associated with formal styles and contexts.   However, even if it is an affirmative sentence it will include most of times some elements of negation in it.

 

 

II) En las oraciones afirmativas y negativas pero son más escasas y se asocian con estilos y contextos formales.   No obstante, aun si es una frase afirmativa incluirá la mayoría de las veces algunos elementos de negación.

 

No one else need hear your lucubration.

I need only repair my car before my parents come back.

* I need not do more than repair my car.

What is Google and why do I need it?

 

 

As a main verb “need” will be followed in present and future by the next structure:

Como verbo principal “need” estará seguido en presente y futuro por la                        siguiente estructura:

 

to   +   infinitive

 

 

I need to talk to someone now.

Determine how much savings you will need to retire using our retirement calculator.

 

Observe how “need” as a main verb can replace the semi-modal “need”:   Observa como “need” como verbo principal puede reemplazar “need” como semimodal:

 

We needn’t do that right now. (semi-modal verb)

We don’t need to do that right now. (main/lexical verb)

Past tense: (“need” as a main verb)

I)

- The past tense of “need” is “needed”. - El pasado de “need” es “needed”.   I needed to tell you something about her.

 

II)

-“Didn’t need to” is used to express absence of obligation in the past. -“Didn’t need to” es utilizado para expresar ausencia de obligación en el pasado.   You didn’t need to send me anything.

 

III)

- We can also use “needn’t + have + participle for events which happened and that the speaker considers as unnecessary. - También podemos emplear “needn’t+ have+ participio” para acontecimientos que sucedieron y que el orador considera como innecesarios.   You needn’t have spent all that money.

 

 

/_!_\ Particular case /_!_\

“Need” acting as a main verb cannot be replaced under no circumstance by its modal form when the verb complement is a noun phrase.

 

“Need” comportándose como un verbo principal no puede ser reemplazado bajo ningún concepto por su forma modal cuando el complemento del verbo es una frase nominal.

 

You don’t need an excuse.

You needn’t an excuse.

See related article: Semi-modal verbs.

Ver artículo relacionado: Verbos semimodales.