Modal Verb Need
Table of Contents
Exercises
Explanation
Affirmative (Normal Verb – need to)
Use need to to say that something is necessary.
I need to go to the bank today.
She needs to study for the test.
We need to buy some food.
He needs to talk to the teacher.
Negative (Not Necessary)
Use needn’t or don’t/doesn’t need to to say that something is not necessary.
You needn’t hurry — we have time.
She doesn’t need to come today.
We didn’t need to cook dinner — we ordered pizza.
Questions
Use Need I...? (formal) or Do I need to...? (common) to ask if something is necessary.
Do I need to bring my passport?
Does he need to finish this today?
Need we wait any longer? (formal)
Past and Future
Use needed to for the past and will need to for the future.
I needed to call my mom yesterday.
We will need to buy tickets tomorrow.
Special Form: needn’t have + past participle
Use this when someone did something, but it wasn’t necessary.
You needn’t have bought bread — we already had some.
I needn’t have rushed; the meeting was canceled.
Form Summary
|
Time |
Form |
Example |
|
Present |
need to / needs to |
She needs to rest. |
|
Past |
needed to |
We needed to leave early. |
|
Future |
will need to |
You will need to study harder. |
|
Negative |
needn’t / don’t need to |
You don’t need to go. |
|
Question |
Do/Does/Need + subject + (to) + verb? |
Do you need to call her? |
