grammar

[Anonymous]

Dear Teachers,


The following famous words that was said by Nelson Mandela at his trial in 1964 :

(I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die)

I did not understand what is meant by (but if it needs be).

Thanks in advance for your assistance

[welldone]

hi, i am not a teacher.
As far as I understand, it means "if necessary".

[Susie Smith]

hi, i am not a teacher.
As far as I understand, it means "if necessary".

I agree that "if need be" means "if necessary".
:)

[MikeNewYork]

Dear Teachers,


The following famous words that was said by Nelson Mandela at his trial in 1964 :

(I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die)

I did not understand what is meant by (but if it needs be).

Thanks in advance for your assistance

Normally that is in the singular "if need be". It stands for "if a/the need arises". :wink: