need */*/*/

I UK [niːd] / US [nɪd] verb
Word forms "need":
present tense I/you/we/they need he/she/it needs present participle needing past tense needed past participle needed

Summary:

Need can be used in the following ways: - as a transitive verb (followed by a noun or pronoun object): I need a drink. ♦ Do you need anything? (followed by an infinitive with "to"): She needs to rest. ♦ You don't need to worry. (followed by "to" without a following infinitive): You can stay longer if you need to. - as a modal verb (usually followed by an infinitive without "to"): This is the only thing you need do. The modal verb need is mainly used in questions and negatives, which are formed without "do": Need I pay now? ♦ You need not worry. In American English, except for a few phrases such as "need I say more?", the modal verb is used only in formal language and some journalism. The negative need not is often shortened to needn't in conversation and informal writing. The modal verb need does not change its form, so the third person singular of the present tense does not end in "-s": He need not take the exam. The ordinary transitive verb need has a regular past tense needed: They needed to be careful. The modal verb need has no past tense, but it can be used in the pattern need not have/needn't have followed by a past participle, to show that although someone did something, it was not necessary: You needn't have waited for me. The ordinary transitive verb has a future tense will need: You will need to show your passport. In many cases, especially in questions and negatives using the simple present tense followed by an infinitive, there are two possible patterns: Need I come with you? = Do I need to come with you? ♦ He needn't come. = He doesn't need to come.

1) [not usually progressive] if you need something, you must have it because it is necessary

You'll need some warm clothes for the winter.

Jack needs a ride home from football practice.

I don't need any advice from you.

Will you be needing any help?

need something for something:

I need £1.50 for the bus.

need someone to do something:

I need someone to help me carry these books downstairs.

a) used for saying whether it is necessary to do something

need to do something:

She'll need to take the test again.

I'll need to know your decision by next week.

Do I need to buy tickets for the children?

We don't need to get into an argument over this.

need do something:

Need I go into details?

You needn't apologize, it wasn't your fault.

need not have done something:

We needn't have worried – everyone got home safely.

b) used for saying whether it is necessary for a particular situation to exist

You need to be over 18 to be able to vote.

You don't actually need to be a member to attend the event.

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Collocations:
Adverbs frequently used with need
▪  badly, desperately, obviously, really, sorely, urgently

2) used for emphasizing that something should be done

something needs painting/cleaning etc:

The bathroom needs cleaning.

badly needs (= needs something very much):

Their house badly needs a coat of paint.

need to do something:

I need to spend more time studying.

The issue of pay needs to be discussed at our next meeting.

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need I say more? — spoken used for saying that something is so obvious that it is not necessary to give more details about the reason for it

Steve's last three relationships were all disasters. Need I say more?

need you ask? — spoken used for saying that there is an obvious answer to the question that someone has asked you

"Who's been complaining?" "Need you ask? Jim's mother, of course."

who needs something? — mainly spoken used for saying that you do not want or need something

Who needs another party? Let's stay at home.

II UK [niːd] / US [nɪd] noun
Word forms "need":
singular need plural needs

Get it right: need:

When the noun need is followed by another noun, use the preposition for, not of:
Wrong: Due to continuous immigration from the mainland, the need of land has increased.
Right: Due to continuous immigration from the mainland, the need for land has increased. The preposition of is used only in the fixed phrase to be in need of: Support is available for those who are in need of it. When the noun need is followed by a verb, use the infinitive, not the -ing form:
Wrong: People feel this fundamental need of organizing things.
Right: People feel this fundamental need to organize things.

a) [singular/uncountable] a situation in which it is necessary for something to be done

The bank will lend us more money, should the need arise.

need for:

The government recognizes the need for immediate action.

There isn't much need for further research.

a need to do something:

We feel there is a need to improve internal communications.

b) [countable, usually plural] something that you need in order to be healthy, comfortable, successful etc

someone's needs:

People with mental health problems have special needs.

meet a need (= provide what is needed):

We want this school to meet the needs of all our children.

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Collocations:
Verbs frequently used with need as the object ▪  emphasize, highlight, stress, underline, underscore

there is no need (for someone) to do something= there is no need for something — used for saying that something does not have to be done or should not be done

There's no need for you to stay late – I can finish this.

There's no need for all this violence.

- have no need of something

- if need be

- in need

- in need of something