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Jesusengland Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

I needn't have paid.I didn't need to pay.I didn't have to pay

Hello.

What is the difference in meaning?

- Bill and I needn't have paid.
- Bill and I didn't need to pay.
- Bill and I didn't have to pay.

Thanks.
  

Top answer

Hi, I was taught that these three sentences mean the same: Bill and I were not obliged to pay. However, only the first one makes it clear that we actually paid, although it was not necessary. - Bill and I needn't have paid.

— Tanit

  • Hi, I was taught that these three sentences mean the same: Bill and I were not obliged to pay.
  • However, only the first one makes it clear that we actually paid, although it was not necessary.
  • - Bill and I needn't have paid.
  • (but we did) - Bill and I didn't need to pay.
  • (did we pay?
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1 Answers
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Hi,

I was taught that these three sentences mean the same: Bill and I were not obliged to pay. However, only the first one makes it clear that we actually paid, although it was not necessary.

- Bill and I needn't have paid. (but we did)
- Bill and I didn't need to pay. (did we pay? Hmm, we probably didn't, unless there's further context)
- Bill and I didn
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