Blue Level

Lesson Twenty-eight

Need
Present Tense

 

write

singular
plural
I need _______
We need _____
You need ______
You need _____
He needs _____
She needs _____
It needs _____
They need _____

 

The verb “need” requires an object or an infinitive after it:

  • I need some coffee. (The word “coffee” is an object.)
  • She needs a ride. (The word “ride” is an object.)
  • We need to go home. (“To go” is an infinitive.)

 

Need in the Present Tense – Negative

write

singular
plural
I don’t need _____
We don’t need ____
You don’t need ____
You don’t need ____
He doesn’t need____
She doesn’t need ____
It doesn’t need ____
They don’t need ____

 

Remember: You must have an object or an infinitive after “need.”

  • They don’t need a new car . (The word “car” is a noun that functions as an object in this sentence.)
  • She doesn’t need to work tomorrow. (“To work” is an infinitive.)
  • This flashlight doesn’t need batteries. (The word “need” is often used with things. It doesn’t need batteries.)

 

The verb “need” is often used in questions:

  • Is there something that you need?
  • What does he need to do today?
  • Do you need anything from the store?
  • Why do you need to work on Saturday?
  • Will I need to wear a jacket today?

 

Here’s a video for the verb “need.”

 

Some examples for the use of need in questions:

  • A: What do you need from the store?
  • B: I need some bread.

or ….

  • B: I need to get some bread.

bread

  • A: Does he need to go to school today?
  • B: Yes, he needs to go to school.

or ….

  • B: Yes, he does.
  • B: Yes, he needs. (Don’t make a sentence like this!)

student

  • A:How many potatoes do we need?
  • B: We need at least ten potatoes.
  • How much lettuce do we need?
  • We need three heads of lettuce.

potato

lettuce

 

write

Practice using Need in the Present Tense

Directions: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb “need.” Some questions require “do” or “does.”

  1. What _______ he _________ ?
  2. He ________ a pencil.
  3. ______ you ________ any help?
  4. I ________ ________ this. (negative)
  5. Who _________ more to eat?
  6. This flashlight _________ batteries.
  7. The students _________ books.
  8. I _______ ________ to go to work today. (negative)
  9. When _______ they ________ to leave?
  10. My car __________ an oil change.

(Answers: 1. does….need; 2. needs; 3. Do….need; 4. don’t need; 5. needs; 6. needs; 7. need; 8. don’t need; 9. do….need; 10. needs)

Next: Lesson Twenty-nine
Learn to use “need” in the past tense