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Grammarian-bot Posted 20 years ago
In the following sentences, the author hasen't used "to" for the verb find. Why is it so? Please explain.
1. To eliminate it, one need only find some condition that is necessary to its existence and then eliminate that condition. (Writen in the book)
2. To eliminate it, one need only to find some condition that is necessary to its existence and then eliminate that condition. (Why not this one?)
3. To eliminate it, one only need to find some condition that is necessary to its existence and then eliminate that condition. (Is this one correct?)
GB
Grammar
A Missing infinitive.
In the following sentences, the author hasen't used "to" for the verb find. Why is it so? Please explain.
1. To eliminate it, one need only find some condition that is necessary to its existence and then eliminate that condition. (Writen in the book)
2. To eliminate it, one need only to find some condition that is necessary to its existence and then eliminate that condition. (Why not this one?)
3. To eliminate it, one only need to find some condition that is necessary to its existence and then eliminate that condition. (Is this one correct?)
GB
Top answer
Hiya GB ! Well I asked myself a similar question sometime ago... I think the answer is that the verb 'to need' also works as a modal auxiliary.
- Hiya GB !
- Well I asked myself a similar question sometime ago...
- I think the answer is that the verb 'to need' also works as a modal auxiliary.
- So for instance you can say "oh please, you needn't bother" which is obviously a case of using it as an auxiliary ; whereas it could also be used as a standard verb "oh please, you don't need to bother".
- Referring to your three sentences, I think I prefer 3 over 2 : it sounds better to my ear to have 'only' located before the verb as in "...
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7 Answers
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Hiya GB !
Well I asked myself a similar question sometime ago... I think the answer is that the verb 'to need' also works as a modal auxiliary.
So for instance you can say "oh please, you needn't bother" which is obviously a case of using it as an auxiliary ; whereas it could also be used as a standard verb "oh please, you don't need to bother".
Referring to your three senten
Well I asked myself a similar question sometime ago... I think the answer is that the verb 'to need' also works as a modal auxiliary.
So for instance you can say "oh please, you needn't bother" which is obviously a case of using it as an auxiliary ; whereas it could also be used as a standard verb "oh please, you don't need to bother".
Referring to your three senten
00
The correct possibilities are as follows.
one only needs to find / one needs only to find (need in its non-modal use)
one only need find / one need only find (need in its modal use)
See .
See .
only has negative polarity is this construction, so it is the element that makes the expressi
one only needs to find / one needs only to find (need in its non-modal use)
one only need find / one need only find (need in its modal use)
See .
See .
only has negative polarity is this construction, so it is the element that makes the expressi
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Grammarian-botThink of that sentence as:
In the following sentences, the author hasen't used "to" for the verb find. Why is it so? Please explain.
1. To eliminate it, one need only find some condition that is necessary to its existence and then eliminate that condition. (Writen in the book)
One must find some condition
00
Hi,
There is no infinitive missing; it is the infinitive marker (to) that is missing.
There is no infinitive missing; it is the infinitive marker (to) that is missing.
00
need + infinitive (need is a full verb)
need to + infinitive (need is a modal auxiliary)
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need to + infinitive (need is a modal auxiliary)
-----------------------------------------------
00
CalifJimThe correct possibilities are as follows.Well CJ thanks for clarification. But as usual, you have tempted me to ask you a little more than I should know. Y
only has negative polarity is this construction, so it is the element that makes the expression non-assertive, hence eligible for the modal use of need.
CJ
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How to differentiate between modal and non-modal use of need and dare.
If it is associated with a full infinitive (with to), it is a non-modal use. Otherwise it is a modal use.
John often needs to rest after studying very hard. (needs to rest, not need rest, therefore, non-modal use.)
Need I explain the rule? (
If it is associated with a full infinitive (with to), it is a non-modal use. Otherwise it is a modal use.
John often needs to rest after studying very hard. (needs to rest, not need rest, therefore, non-modal use.)
Need I explain the rule? (
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