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Anna
she needs /need some milk ?
she needs /need some milk ? which is right?, i was sure it was "needs"
but someone asked me about that,saying that "need" is a modal, which is invariable
but how can i explain that ?
thx!
Mar 26, 2016 12:01 PM
Answers · 13
2
It seems like you already know the answer! That's great. Need can be both an ordinary verb (ex:she needs money) and a modal(ex: You needn't fill in a form. Need I fill in a form?) A modal is followed by an infinitive without to, in this case, fill.
Resource: Practical English Grammar by Michael Swan
March 26, 2016
2
"Need" is a so-called semi-modal verb. It can be used modally in questions and negatives -- "Need I go? You need not go." -- but not affirmatively -- "He needs to go". Other verbs somewhat like this are "ought" and "dare".
March 26, 2016
1
need is not a modal
need is a main verb
we add (s) for verbs if the adjective was singular... she needS some milk..
but if the adjective was I or plural (no S)
I need some milk
They need some milk.
I hope this was helpful.
March 26, 2016
Yes, "she needs some milk." But if it is a question, then "does she need some milk吗?"
'She' is singular, hence the singular form of the verb, which is 'needs'.
March 26, 2016
thanks,but " You needn’t stay long.
", " Need we leave so soon?" ,the modal form exists
March 26, 2016
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Anna
Language Skills
Chinese (Mandarin), English, Italian
Learning Language
Italian
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