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Imantaghavi Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
needn't VS. don't need to
Hi,
Is there a difference in meaning between the following two forms?
"You needn't / don't need to pay for that phone call"
I've always thought that "needn't" means you have done sth but it was unnecessary, whereas "don't need to" means you haven't done sth yet.
Is that supposition correct?
Cheers,
Iman
Is there a difference in meaning between the following two forms?
"You needn't / don't need to pay for that phone call"
I've always thought that "needn't" means you have done sth but it was unnecessary, whereas "don't need to" means you haven't done sth yet.
Is that supposition correct?
Cheers,
Iman
Top answer
imantaghavi Is that supposition correct? No. Perhaps the perfect infinitive confuses you.
- imantaghavi Is that supposition correct?
- No.
- Perhaps the perfect infinitive confuses you.
- Need not + a perfect infinitive has the meaning you have done something that wasn't necessary: I need not have bought a new phone.
- There's nothing wrong with the old one.
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9 Answers
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imantaghaviIs that supposition correct?No. Perhaps the perfect infinitive confuses you. Need not + a perfect infinitive has the meaning you have done something that wasn't necessary: I need not have bought a new phone. There's nothing wrong with the old one.
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Thank you cool breeze very much. Haven't seen you around for a while!
What have you been up to?
What have you been up to?
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imantaghaviThank you cool breeze very much. Haven't seen you around for a while!What have you been up to?Nothing special. This is just a hobby for me. I reply if I see something that interests me and I also have to think that I have a good enough answer. English isn't my native language and that's why I often leave questions that concern vocabulary and idioms
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Cool BreezeEnglish isn't my native languageI didn't realise that for a very long time. I wish a few more native speakers could write English as well as you do.
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Yeah. I see!
How come that nearly all the trusted users and teachers and admins don't reveal their real identity?
This has been my question since I joined forum.
How come that nearly all the trusted users and teachers and admins don't reveal their real identity?
This has been my question since I joined forum.
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imantaghaviHow come that nearly all the trusted users and teachers and admins don't reveal their real identity?I am happy to give up some of my free time to respond to questions here, but I see no reason why I should tell members what my name in my non-forum life is. Would knowing the name on my passport make any difference to how you view my responses?
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Hi, I would like to chime in on this conversation.
Revealing the real name creates sort of social bond similar to many other social networks. Many active members here have interactions on daily basis and work collaboratively together to help English learners. Such interaction in the forum can spark friendship and who knows if you happen to come to the Wyoming, you can come and visit me.
Revealing the real name creates sort of social bond similar to many other social networks. Many active members here have interactions on daily basis and work collaboratively together to help English learners. Such interaction in the forum can spark friendship and who knows if you happen to come to the Wyoming, you can come and visit me.
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fivejedjonWould knowing the name on my passport make any difference to how you view my responses?I believe it would, for some people. There is a lot of prejudice in the world.
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