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9. Need ( objectiveness) "Need" is either the modal auxiliary verb or the main verb. It tends to be used as the main verb. If it is used for the modal auxiliary verb, it is used in the interrogative and negative sentence. This has the only meaning "the necessity." (1) a. You needn't go now. b. Need we come here by seven o'clock? No, you needn't. The above is often used as the main verb. See the following examples. (2) a. You don't need to go now. b. Do we need to come here by seven o'clock? No, you don't need to. The modal auxiliary of "need" is used in the interrogative and negative sentence which is on the meaning. See the following examples which means negative. (3) a. All you need do is push the button. ( You do not need the others.) b. You need hardly do that. This does not have the past tense, "needed" is used instead as the main verb. See the following examples. (4) a. He needed the money. b. You didn't need to call me back. |
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