grammar

Status
Not open for further replies.
A

Anonymous

Guest
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
 
W

welldone

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

Susie Smith

Guest
welldone said:
hi, i am not a teacher.
As far as I understand, it means "if necessary".
Click to expand...

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

MikeNewYork

VIP Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Member Type
Academic
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
koko said:
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
Click to expand...

Normally that is in the singular "if need be". It stands for "if a/the need arises". :wink:
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top