English translation: You probably don't need such a long explanation, but you needn't worry - you can always skip it.
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22:44 Jan 3, 2006
English to English translations [PRO] Other / english grammar
English term or phrase:do not need vs. need not
Hi. To make long things short, I was told that the correct use of need was "need not" (e.g., noblemen need not pay taxes). However, it is becoming more and more common the expression "do not need" (e.g., you don't need lead to make gold). A "google fight" comes up with what is almost a draw: 46MM to the first use, and 36MM to the second.
Which is the correct one?
Explanation: Try to distinguish between need + object and need + verb.
Need + object is always a full verb, like 'want'.
e.g.
I need a drink. | The remote control needs new batteries. | You don't need lead to make gold. (Strange example, but this is where it belongs.) | I need glasses for reading.
Need + verb can also be a full verb. As a full verb it is usually followed by to-infinitive.
e.g.
He needs to see a doctor straightaway. | You need to let me know by Monday if you want to take part.
Fortunately I didn't need to pay for it. = I didn't have to pay for it. (i.e. I didn't pay) – but see 'I needn't have paid' below.
One exception to the 'need+to-infinitive' pattern is when 'need' is followed by –ing. This –ing verb has a passive meaning (same as want –ing).
e.g.
Does this shirt need ironing? = Does this shirt need to be ironed?
The plants need watering once a week. = The plants need to be watered…
Need is also a modal verb, like 'must': no –s in the third singular, no 'do' in questions and negatives, no past forms. And always followed by another verb (bare infinitive, i.e. infinitive without 'to'). In this respect, its main difference from 'must' is that we do not use it in affirmative sentences (unless with restrictive adverbs such as 'hardly' or 'only').
e.g.
We needn't stay long.
Need we leave so soon?
She's lazy, slow, and stubborn. Need I say more?
He need never find out what I said.
I need hardly remind you that this information is confidential.
We need only look at the building to see how much money it will take to repair.
Note its use with a perfect infinitive (i.e. have done sth):
I needn't have paid for it. (i.e. Unfortunately, I paid for it. Note the difference from "I didn't need to pay for it".)
[Most of the above examples taken from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English.]
The use of the modal in questions and negatives is more common in British English and a bit old-fashioned.
Whoever told you that "it is becoming more and more common to use 'do not need'" was referring to "needn't do" being replaced by "don't need to do" (though "don't have to do" is even more common).
Your second example (You don't need lead to make gold, i.e. need+noun) never created problems or doubts and has nothing to do with the modal 'need'.
Your first example (Noblemen need not pay taxes) is also fine. See this article entitled "Nobles need not pay taxes" (http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0201-23.htm) based on something written by Marc Bloch.
It would be equally correct to say "Noblemen do not need to pay taxes" but much more common to say "Noblemen do not have to pay taxes".
Thanx a lot. Very clear and straightforward. Additional thanx to all other experts who participated in this Q. 4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer
Explanation: need not (British) (Also used as modal meaning must not)
do not need (standard)
Abside Local time: 00:59 Native speaker of: Spanish
18 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +1
see
Explanation: 1) Need: means "to require" as a normal verb that forms it`s interrogative and negative with do/does/did, and is also used as an auxiliary verb.
Need to / Don't need to
Needed to / Didn't need to
Ex. My hair needs cutting. / I don't need a rest.
I needed to get new tyres for my car. / I didn't need to tell him the truth.
2) Need: means "have to" as a special finite; it's defective, having only the one form. The 3rd. person singular present tense does not take -s. It forms it's interrogative form by inversion and it's negative by adding -not (needn't). It can make question phrases and can be followed by plain infinitive (without -to).
It's not used in affirmative sentences, only interrogative and negative ones. The affirmative is replaced by MUST or equivalents.
Ex.
Need he work so hard?
You needn't go yet, need you?
You needn't see him, but I must.
I can be used affirmatively with adverbs sucha as NEVER, HARDLY, etc. with negative implications.
The past tense is NEED...HAVE.
Ex.
Need you have scolded him so severely?
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 23 mins (2006-01-03 23:07:53 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
HOPE IT HELPS!
You do not need: You do not require
You need not do it: You do not have to do it
Paola Giardina Argentina Local time: 02:59 Native speaker of: Spanish
2 hrs confidence: peer agreement (net): +4
both are correct
Explanation: It isn't really a question of which one is "correct" since both are grammatically correct. I think the choice of which to use depends on the sentence, though there is certainly no difference in meaning, to my mind.
In colloquial speech in the UK I rarely hear "need not", though the contaction "needn't" does crop up from time to time, e.g.
"Shall I phone to let you know when they've arrived?"
"You needn't bother" ( = you do not need to bother)
Saying "you don't need to bother" would be perfectly correct, however.
I tend to come across "need not" more often in written English. One phrase which immediately leaps to mind is:
"Previous applicants need not reapply" (a polite way of saying "if you've tried applying to us before, we don't want to hear from you again!")
The short answer to your question, though, is that both are correct. I would only add that "need not" is probably less common in colloquial speech, and even then it is often contracted to "needn't".
Peter Shortall Local time: 05:59 Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 4
The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): -1
