need
( needs plural & 3rd person present) ( needing present participle) ( needed past tense & past participle )
Need sometimes behaves like an ordinary verb, for example `She needs to know' and `She doesn't need to know' and sometimes like a modal, for example `She need know', `She needn't know', or, in more formal English, `She need not know.'
1 verb If you need something, or needto do something, you cannot successfully achieve what you want or live properly without it.
no cont
He desperately needed money... V n
I need to make a phone call... V to-inf
I need you to do something for me... V n to-inf
I need you here, Wally... V n adv/prep
I need you sane and sober. V n adj
Need is also a noun., n-count usu with supp, oft N to-inf, N for n
Charles has never felt the need to compete with anyone., ...the child who never had his need for attention and importance satisfied., ...the special nutritional needs of the elderly.
2 verb If an object or place needs something doing to it, that action should be done to improve the object or place. If a task needs doing, it should be done to improve a particular situation.
no cont
The building needs quite a few repairs. V n/-ing
...a garden that needs tidying... V n/-ing
The taste of vitamins is not too nice so the flavour sometimes needs to be disguised. V to-inf
3 n-sing If there is a needfor something, that thing would improve a situation or something cannot happen without it.
usu with supp, oft N for n, N to-inf
Mr Forrest believes there is a need for other similar schools throughout Britain..., `I think we should see a specialist.'<emdash10001`I don't think there's any need for that.'..., There's no need for you to stay.
4 modal If you say that someone needn't do something, you are telling them not to do it, or advising or suggesting that they should not do it.
with neg
Look, you needn't shout..., She need not know I'm here.
Need is also a verb., verb no cont, with neg
Come along, Mother, we don't need to take up any more of Mr Kemp's time. V to-inf
5 modal If you tell someone that they needn't do something, or that something needn't happen, you are telling them that that thing is not necessary, in order to make them feel better.
with brd-neg
You needn't worry..., Buying budget-priced furniture needn't mean compromising on quality or style..., Loneliness can be horrible, but it need not remain that way...
Need is also a verb., verb no cont, with neg
He replied, with a reassuring smile, `Oh, you don't need to worry about them.'... V to-inf
You don't need to be a millionaire to consider having a bank account in Switzerland. V to-inf
6 modal You use needn't when you are giving someone permission not to do something.
with neg
You needn't come again, if you don't want to...
Need is also a verb., verb no cont
You don't need to wait for me... V to-inf
7 modal If something need not be true, it is not necessarily true or not always true.
FORMAL with neg
What is right for us need not be right for others..., Freedom need not mean independence.
8 modal If someone needn'thave done something, it was not necessary or useful for them to do it, although they did it.
with neg
I was a little nervous when I announced my engagement to Grace, but I needn't have worried..., We spent a hell of a lot of money that we needn't have spent.
If someone didn't need to do something, they needn't have done it., verb no cont, with neg
You didn't need to give me any more money you know, but thank you. V to-inf
9 modal You use need in expressions such as I need hardly say and I needn't add to emphasize that the person you are talking to already knows what you are going to say.
oft with brd-neg (emphasis)
I needn't add that if you fail to do as I ask, you will suffer the consequences.
Need is also a verb., verb no cont
I hardly need to say that I have never lost contact with him. V to-inf
10 modal You can use need in expressions such as `Need I say more' and `Need I go on' when you want to avoid stating an obvious consequence of something you have just said.
Mid-fifties, short black hair, grey moustache, distinctive Russian accent. Need I go on?
11 People in need do not have enough of essential things such as money, food, or good health.
♦
in need phrase usu v-link PHR
The education authorities have to provide for children in need..., Remember that when both of you were in need, I was the one who loaned you money.
12 If you are in need of something, you need it or ought to have it.
♦
in need of phrase PHR n
I was all right but in need of rest..., He was badly in need of a shave..., The house was in need of modernisation when they bought it.
13 If you say that you will do something, especially an extreme action, if need be, you mean that you will do if it is necessary. In British English, you can also say if needs be.
♦
if need be/if needs be phrase PHR with cl
They will now seek permission to take their case to the House of Lords, and, if need be, to the European Court of Human Rights.
14 You can tell someone that there's no need for them to do something as a way of telling them not to do it or of telling them to stop doing it, for example because it is unnecessary.
SPOKEN
♦
there's no need/no need phrase oft PHR to-inf, PHR for n
There's no need to call a doctor..., `I'm going to come with you.'<emdash>`Now look, Sue, there's no need.'
15 You can say `Who needs something?' as a way of emphasizing that you think that this thing is unnecessary or not useful.
INFORMAL
♦
who needs sth? phrase PHR n
With apologies to my old history teacher, who needs history lessons?..., Cigarettes, who needs them?