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Inchoateknowledge Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
need
"This is the only form you need fill in."
According to Swan's Practical English Usage, 'need' may act as a modal verb if and only if the sentence is negative or non.affirmative.
My question is: why is the above sentence still written in this book?
According to Swan's Practical English Usage, 'need' may act as a modal verb if and only if the sentence is negative or non.affirmative.
My question is: why is the above sentence still written in this book?
Top answer
2 in my edition), Swan says need as a modal is used mainly in negative sentences, but is also possible 'in questions, after if , and in other non-assertive structures'-- to wit: This is the only form you need fill in .
- 2 in my edition), Swan says need as a modal is used mainly in negative sentences, but is also possible 'in questions, after if , and in other non-assertive structures'-- to wit: This is the only form you need fill in .
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5 Answers
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If you read the section again (357.2 in my edition), Swan says need as a modal is used mainly in negative sentences, but is also possible 'in questions, after if, and in other non-assertive structures'-- to wit: This is the only form you need fill in.
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But the above sentence falls in neither category, it is assertive.
So my interpretation is use as you want.
Am I right in thinking that?
By the way, thanks.
So my interpretation is use as you want.
Am I right in thinking that?
By the way, thanks.
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But the above sentence falls in neither category, it is assertive.Sometimes it's not quite so obvious.
So my interpretation is use as you want.
Am I right in thinking that?
The word only implies a sort of negation, so it's not entirely assertive if you think of the meaning behind it.
This (and not any other) form is t
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