"Need not be likely" vs "doesn't need to be likely"
Hi
I saw the folowing sentense in a book, and I would like to know whether this is correct or not. "...spontaneous generation need not be likely, it need only be possible."
I'm asking, because I was thinking of how would I write this sentense...and I would do something like:
"...spontaneous generation doesn't need to be likely, it only need to be possible."
Can someone make it clear, please?
Search from various English teachers...
Corrections · 3
1
"Need not be likely" vs "doesn't need to be likely"
HiI saw the following sentence in a book, and I would like to know whether this is correct or not. "...spontaneous generation need not be likely, it need only be possible."
I'm asking, because I was thinking of (about) how I would write this sentence...and I would do something like:
"...spontaneous generation doesn't need to be likely, it only needs to be possible (OR it only need be possible)."
Can someone make it clear (provide some clarity), please?
Everton - your version is fine but so is the version that you read. Though, I think this construction is more common in British English.
It is often ignored by English language teachers as you can simply construct 'need' like any other verb. BUT it is quite common (some may think a little old-fashioned) to construct sentences with 'need' as you do modal verbs:
e.g. I may have time. I may not have time.
I ought to leave soon. I ought not leave so soon.
I can make it. I can't make it.
You need to help. You need not help. (NOTE the to is dropped in the negative).
Also, note that in expressions, there can sometimes be a slight difference in meaning.
You don't need to help.
You needn't help (British English - to my ear this is a better expression - more polite - also, it is likely the person who it is being said to has made some effort to try to help).
e.g. Similarly: You don't need to bother. You needn't bother (more polite - and the person has already started helping).
Hope this helps!
0
It's very formal English, but it is correct. You don't really need to know how to use it just what it means because you won't see it often at all. It's no different from the phrase, "doesn't need to be likely." They can be used interchangeably pretty much.
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