Need to
Definition
Need to expresses necessity or something required to achieve a result. It behaves like an ordinary lexical verb in questions, negatives and tense changes: needs to, needed to, does not need to.
subject + need to / needs to / needed to + base verb
Examples
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I need to renew my passport.
The action is necessary.
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Mina needs to leave by six.
Needs agrees with a third-person singular subject.
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We needed to change the plan.
The past form expresses an earlier necessity.
Need to vs. do not need to
You need to bring identification.
Bringing identification is required.
You do not need to bring a printed copy.
A printed copy is optional, not forbidden.
The negative means that something is unnecessary. It does not normally mean that the action is prohibited.
Questions and negatives use do-support
In ordinary present and past forms, need to uses do, does or did in questions and negatives. After the auxiliary, need remains in the base form.
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Does Leo need to book in advance?
After does, use need, not needs.
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We did not need to wait.
The negative past form means waiting was unnecessary.
Common mistakes
She need to call the office.
She needs to call the office.
Use needs to with a third-person singular present subject.
He doesn't needs to pay today.
He doesn't need to pay today.
After doesn't, use the base form need.
Quick check
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence correctly expresses present necessity?
Use needs to + base verb with she.Which sentence means that attendance is optional?
Do not need to expresses lack of necessity.Which question is correct?
Use does + subject + need to + base verb.Nice work — you've completed the quick check.
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