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English 1b3 Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Semi auxiliary and lexical verb--need
After some head scratching, I deduced the following, regarding need. I hope I have it right, like I think I do. 
Please check for me:
1a) He need not work--(modal), which requires the base form of the verb along with the uninflected form of 'need'
1b) *He need work--Positive statement wouldn't be used, as it looks like 'need' is a main verb here, with the meaning of 'require.'
1c) He does not need to work--(lexical/ordinary), which requires the to-infinitive, and can have preceding auxiliaries (does).
2a)He need not be included-- (modal)
2b) He need be included--(modal), less common, as not a negative sentence
3a) He need not have worked today--(modal + perfect infinitive/perfect tense)--showing someone did something, but that was unnecessary, whereas:
3b) He didn't need to work today--(lexical/ordinary verb)--showing something was unnecessary, but whether it was done or not is not specified.
Cheers
Please check for me:1a) He need not work--(modal), which requires the base form of the verb along with the uninflected form of 'need'
1b) *He need work--Positive statement wouldn't be used, as it looks like 'need' is a main verb here, with the meaning of 'require.'
1c) He does not need to work--(lexical/ordinary), which requires the to-infinitive, and can have preceding auxiliaries (does).
2a)He need not be included-- (modal)
2b) He need be included--(modal), less common, as not a negative sentence
3a) He need not have worked today--(modal + perfect infinitive/perfect tense)--showing someone did something, but that was unnecessary, whereas:
3b) He didn't need to work today--(lexical/ordinary verb)--showing something was unnecessary, but whether it was done or not is not specified.
Cheers
Top answer
Greetings, English 1b3 2b) He need be included --(modal), less common, as not a negative sentence - vernacular, can only be justified by the existence of negation in a main clause, as in: I am not sure that he need be included . Otherwise, He needs to be included. Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff
- Greetings, English 1b3 2b) He need be included --(modal), less common, as not a negative sentence - vernacular, can only be justified by the existence of negation in a main clause, as in: I am not sure that he need be included .
- Otherwise, He needs to be included.
- Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff
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3 Answers
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Greetings,
I am not sure that he need be included.
Otherwise, He needs to be included.
Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff
English 1b32b) He need be included--(modal), less common, as not a negative sentence- vernacular, can only be justified by the existence of negation in a main clause, as in:
I am not sure that he need be included.
Otherwise, He needs to be included.
Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff
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Thank you, Gleb. (I assume this single comment means you agree with the rest of my sentences and comments).
Why/any reason you know of?
Gleb_Chebrikoffvernacular, can only be justified by the existence of negation in a main clause, as in:
Why/any reason you know of?
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My pleasure, English 1b3.
As we know, 'need' as a semi-modal (sometimes called 'need B' /as opposed to 'need A'/) occurs, among others, in sentences which are either explicitly negative or imply negation that is more clearly manifested in the main clause. One further example from A. Lejeune:
Nothing that need embarrass you. Not at this stage.
As we know, 'need' as a semi-modal (sometimes called 'need B' /as opposed to 'need A'/) occurs, among others, in sentences which are either explicitly negative or imply negation that is more clearly manifested in the main clause. One further example from A. Lejeune:
Nothing that need embarrass you. Not at this stage.
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