Needn’t have VS Didn’t need to
Hello!
Could you please tell me the difference between “needn’t have” and “didn’t need to”?
I had always thought that the former indicates that something was done, though it wasn’t necessary, while the latter shows that something wasn’t done because it wasn’t necessary.
In a recent textbook, however, I have found out that “didn’t need to” refers to something that wasn’t necessary, no matter whether it was done. Is this correct?
Top answer
Yes, what you learned from a recent textbook is correct. Additionally, “needn’t have” does indicate that something was done, though it wasn’t necessary. “Didn’t need to” refers to something that wasn’t necessary, no matter whether it was done.
- Yes, what you learned from a recent textbook is correct.
- Additionally, “needn’t have” does indicate that something was done, though it wasn’t necessary.
- “Didn’t need to” refers to something that wasn’t necessary, no matter whether it was done.
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Yes, what you learned from a recent textbook is correct.
Additionally, “needn’t have” does indicate that something was done, though it wasn’t necessary.
“Didn’t need to” refers to something that wasn’t necessary, no matter whether it was done.
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