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Sb70012 Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Need of / need for

Despite the need …….. more teachers, the teacher training college is to be reduced ….. size.
a) for_in (Answer Key)
b) of_in
c) for_down
d) of_down

Source: school exam

Hi,
Why can't option B work too? Because "need of" also exists in English. Doesn't it?
I asked this question in WR forum too. One native English speaker told me: "Need of" might be an option in a few contexts, but in this context I would only accept option A, as your answer key says."

I want to know why "need of" doesn't work in my question. in what context "need of" is used?

Thank you.
  

Top answer

sb70012 Because "need of" also exists in English. Doesn't it? Mainly in the phrase 'in need of'.

  • sb70012 Because "need of" also exists in English.
  • Doesn't it?
  • Mainly in the phrase 'in need of'.
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2 Answers
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sb70012 Because "need of" also exists in English. Doesn't it?
Mainly in the phrase 'in need of'.
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You are more likely to see "need of" in texts written before the 1930s, including in Biblical texts.
Since then, "need for" is more commonly used except in an occasional "no need of". The major exception is the phrase "in need of" (including variants like "in desperate need of" and "in urgent need of").

CJ

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