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Anonymous Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

don't need vs have

Hi everyone. My name is Alex and i'm new on this forum. I have a question for you. What's the difference between: We don't have to go and we don't need to go. Also the difference between we needn't have gone and didn't need to go. Thank you.
  

Top answer

Anonymous What's the difference between: We don't have to go and we don't need to go. The first indicates a command; the second indicates a necessity. Native speakers may mix them to hide real motives.

— Mister Micawber

  • Anonymous What's the difference between: We don't have to go and we don't need to go.
  • The first indicates a command; the second indicates a necessity.
  • Native speakers may mix them to hide real motives.
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2 Answers
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Anonymous What's the difference between: We don't have to go and we don't need to go.
The first indicates a command; the second indicates a necessity. Native speakers may mix them to hide real motives.
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I don't see any difference between 'don't have to' and 'don't need to', Alex. Both, in my opinion, mean that you can (do something) if you want, however, you are not required to or it is not an obligation for you to (do that thing).

Of the difference between 'needn't have gone' and 'didn't need to go', I'd say We needn't have gone implies 1) we weren't required to or it was
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