LoginDare and Need
Explore advanced uses of "dare" and "need" in different contexts. Comprehensive explanations, exercises, and a quiz provided.
Dare and Need
'Dare' and 'need' are considered semi-modal verbs because they have some but not all of characteristics of modal verbs.
Dare
'Dare' can be both a main verb and a semi-modal verb. As a main verb, it can take a direct object and needs the supporting auxiliary 'do' to form questions and negative sentences.
Dare as Main Verb
'Dare' as a main verb means 'to challenge somebody to do something dangerous, difficult or embarrassing.' When used in this sense, it is a main verb and takes an object. Verbs that follow it are in the to-infinitive form.
Take it! I dare you.
They dared him to prank his boss.
As a main verb, 'dare' can also mean 'to be brave enough to do something'. In this sense, it can be used as an ordinary main verb that can be followed by a to-infinitive.
I didn't dare to say that to her face.
She didn't dare to go home late.
Dare as a Semi-modal
As a semi-modal, 'dare' is used especially in non-affirmative contexts (questions and negative sentences), and the verb that follows it must be in its base form. It can sometimes be used in the past tense ('dared') which makes it a semi-modal rather than a pure modal. The semi-modal "dare" means to have the courage or be bold enough to do something.
In negative sentences: The negative marker 'not' directly follows 'dare' to make the sentence negative. Other negative markers (such as negative pronouns or adverbs) can be used as well.
She dare not speak out against him.
No one dared go there.
In this sentence, 'no one' is a negative pronoun that makes the whole sentence and so there is no need for 'not' after the semi-modal.
In questions: To form questions with 'dare', we move it before the subject.
Dare he question the manager's decision?
How dare they accuse you without proof?
Need
'Need' is another verb in English which can be both a main verb and a semi-modal verb.
Need as Main Verb
'Need' as a main verb has two meanings:
to require something and think something is important to have.
to be obligated or compelled to do something.
When 'need' is used as a main verb, we form questions and negations using the auxiliary verb 'do/does/did'. As a main verb, 'need' takes a direct object or a to-infinitive.
Do you need any help?
I needed to study for the exam.
Do I need to show my ID?
Need as Semi-modal
We use 'need' as a semi-modal in negative and interrogative sentences
In negative sentences: We add 'not' directly after 'need' to indicate that there is no obligation or necessity to do something. You can also use other negative markers, such as negative pronouns or adverbs.
You need not worry. The flood is under control.
No one need know about their love affair.
In this sentence, the negative pronoun 'no one' makes the whole sentence negative, so there is no need for adding 'not' after the semi-modal.
We needn't study hard, the exam is easy.
In interrogative sentences: We can also use 'need' in questions. In this case, the semi-modal undergoes inversion, moving before the subject.
Need I remind you that you were the one who messed everything up?
Need I bring my passport to the interview?
Need we listen to him?
Beware!
The verb after need is the base form of the verb, without 'to.'
You needn't wait.
NOT you needn't to wait.
She needn't tell me anything.
Common Mistakes with Need
We cannot use semi-modal need with:
You don't need a man. (NOT you needn't a man.)
'Need' can only be complemented by a noun phrase if it is a main verb.
She doesn't need any help.
to-infinitives:
I do not need to drink coffee to stay awake. (NOT I needn't to drink to stay awake.)
I don't need to explain anything to you.
My hair does not need cutting for three weeks. (NOT my hair needn't cutting for three weeks.)
Her car does not need fixing.
Past Form of 'Need' and 'Dare'
As already mentioned, while "dare" can sometimes take a past form ("dared"), "need" does not have a specific past form when used as a semi-modal. To talk about the past, we can use the past form of its main verb equivalent or the past form of 'have to' as an alternative.
No one dared look him in the eyes.
I didn't need to study to make money.
Remember, we use a to-infinitive after main verb need.
She didn't have to call him again, he had received her voice mail.
We can also use need/dare + have + past participle to convey a past meaning with these semi-modals.
He needn't have worked as a waiter; his father was too rich.
I needn't have explained anything to you.
She dare not have spoken to him like that.
I dare not have imagined such a betrayal.
Warning
Like the main modals, 'need' and 'dare' as semi-modals have the same form for all persons. So you cannot use 'needs' or 'dares.'
Review
'Need' and 'dare' both are verbs that can be semi-modal or main verbs. Although the semi-modal form can have the same meaning as the main form, they follow different grammatical rules.
As a semi-modals:
'Need' and 'dare' are used in negative and interrogative sentences and are followed by the base form of the verb.
And as main verbs:
They take a direct object and need the auxiliary 'do' to form negative and interrogative sentences.
semi-modal | main verb | |
|---|---|---|
need | I need not hurry. | I need help./ They need to stop this. |
semi-modal | main verb | |
|---|---|---|
dare | I dare not confront him. | They dared me to call her. |
Quiz:
Which sentence uses "dare" as a semi-modal?
She didn't dare to argue with the teacher.
They dared him to jump into the pool.
Dare he ask for a raise?
He dares not to speak up.
Sort the words to form a correct sentence.
Identify the incorrect usage of "need".
He needn't attend the meeting.
She needn't a new phone.
Need we reserve seats?
Need I say more?
Complete the table by choosing whether "dare" and "need" are used as a main verb or semi-modal.
I didn't need to bring an umbrella. | |
You need not apologize. | |
No one dared enter the cave. | |
They dared him to jump. | |
Need we stay longer? |
Complete each sentence with the correct semi-modal.
She
not speak to him when he's angry.
I remind you about the meeting?
You
n't have brought dessert; we already had some.
you say that to his face?
No one
disobey his authority when he was the boss.
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