Rachel Adams
Key Member
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2018
- Member Type
- Student or Learner
- Native Language
- Russian
- Home Country
- Georgia
- Current Location
- Georgia
Does "need" require "to" when it is used as both an ordinary verb and modal verb in the first example?
1. "We need to talk about it right now" (Ordinary and modal verb) not "we need talk."
2. "We don't need to talk about it now." (Ordinary verb)
3. "We need not talk or needn't talk about it now." (Modal usage)
I read that "need" is a semi-modal verb because it used to be a modal auxiliary verb but along with "dare" it can now be used as a modal auxiliary verb. I don't understand this explanation. Isn't it still used as such?
1. "We need to talk about it right now" (Ordinary and modal verb) not "we need talk."
2. "We don't need to talk about it now." (Ordinary verb)
3. "We need not talk or needn't talk about it now." (Modal usage)
I read that "need" is a semi-modal verb because it used to be a modal auxiliary verb but along with "dare" it can now be used as a modal auxiliary verb. I don't understand this explanation. Isn't it still used as such?
