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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
The use of "need"
This one's been bothering me for a few days, and despite my best efforts, I can't seem to find anything that gives me a definitive "yes" or "no" on the subject.
I'm aware that typically the word "need" requires the word "to" to follow it, such as "We need to dance." However, I am curious if the following would also be right: "We need dance."
As far as I can tell, there seems to be the possibility that it's either an obscure or archaic use of the word, but I can't find anything that clearly defines it as acceptable. Would anyone happen to know if it's correct, and if it is, if it's considered obscure, archaic, or otherwise? Additionally, if it is correct, would something such as "We would need dance," also be acceptable?
I'm aware that typically the word "need" requires the word "to" to follow it, such as "We need to dance." However, I am curious if the following would also be right: "We need dance."
As far as I can tell, there seems to be the possibility that it's either an obscure or archaic use of the word, but I can't find anything that clearly defines it as acceptable. Would anyone happen to know if it's correct, and if it is, if it's considered obscure, archaic, or otherwise? Additionally, if it is correct, would something such as "We would need dance," also be acceptable?
Top answer
Hi, This one's been bothering me for a few days, and despite my best efforts, I can't seem to find anything that gives me a definitive "yes" or "no" on the subject. " As far as I can tell, there seems to be the possibility that it's either an obscure or archaic use of the word, but I can't find anything that clearly defines it as acceptable. Would anyone happen to know if it's correct, and if it is, if it's considered obscure, archaic, or otherwise?
- Hi, This one's been bothering me for a few days, and despite my best efforts, I can't seem to find anything that gives me a definitive "yes" or "no" on the subject.
- " As far as I can tell, there seems to be the possibility that it's either an obscure or archaic use of the word, but I can't find anything that clearly defines it as acceptable.
- Would anyone happen to know if it's correct, and if it is, if it's considered obscure, archaic, or otherwise?
- I wouldn't say it's wrong, but it does seem to me like an uncommon and pretty archaic form.
- It sounds rather literary, as such things often do.
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3 Answers
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Hi,
This one's been bothering me for a few days, and despite my best efforts, I can't seem to find anything that gives me a definitive "yes" or "no" on the subject.
I'm aware that typically the word "need" requires the word "to" to follow it, such as "We need to dance." However, I am curious if the following would also be right: "We need dance."
As far as I can tell, t
This one's been bothering me for a few days, and despite my best efforts, I can't seem to find anything that gives me a definitive "yes" or "no" on the subject.
I'm aware that typically the word "need" requires the word "to" to follow it, such as "We need to dance." However, I am curious if the following would also be right: "We need dance."
As far as I can tell, t
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Thanks for the quick reply! 
I'm glad to hear that it's correct, albeit uncommon. I know I have a habit of using obscure gr
I'm glad to hear that it's correct, albeit uncommon. I know I have a habit of using obscure gr
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AnonymousI am curious if the following would also be right: "We need dance."No. In its modal usage, need requires a non-assertive context, for example, a question or negation. Therefore, the assertive form requires the non-modal usage of need, namely with to: We need to dance. Also, We would need to dance.
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