needn't and don't need

felixfei · #1 (**permalink**) 14-Sep-2006, 15:58

Hi, could you tell me what's the difference between "don't need" and "needn't"?
Thank you in advance!

KuaiLe · #2 (**permalink**) 14-Sep-2006, 16:36

I was taught that "needn't" implies that one doesn't have to do a certain thing and one hasn't, whereas "don't need to" implies that one has already done a certain thing though one didn't have to. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

riverkid · #3 (**permalink**) 14-Sep-2006, 21:37

To me they're both the same save for formality. <needn't> is more formal and less common in, at the least, NaE.

The timing can be the same for either.

felixfei · #4 (**permalink**) 15-Sep-2006, 09:27

Appreciate your help.

Tdol · #5 (**permalink**) 15-Sep-2006, 10:27

I think that Riverkid's distinction applies to BrE as well.

Tdol · #6 (**permalink**) 15-Sep-2006, 10:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by KuaiLe

I was taught that "needn't" implies that one doesn't have to do a certain thing and one hasn't, whereas "don't need to" implies that one has already done a certain thing though one didn't have to. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I think that this should be about the past:
I needn't have done it = I did it but it was unnecessary
I didn't need to do it = It wasn't necessary so I didn't do it

KuaiLe · #7 (**permalink**) 16-Sep-2006, 09:04

I found an article that confirms what todl said:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/le...rnitv317.shtml

And I think this article gives this "need" issue a pretty complete and clear explanation.


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