need

Use the word "need" when something is necessary:

• He needs to make a call.
• They need a place to sleep tonight.
• Dora’s baby needs some milk.
• I need to get some sleep.
• Tanya needs to go to work now.
• Those people need help immediately.
• What do you need to do today?
• What did you need to get?
• Why did she need to do that?

But did you know that you can use the word "need" as a noun?

• Children have many needs.
• Their needs aren’t being met.
• They have a need for more food.
• Tom has a need for a lot of attention.

You can also use this word as an adjective by adding a "y" to the end of the word. A person who is "needy" needs a lot of attention, or a needy person doesn’t have those things that are essential: clothes, food, shelter.

• She’s very needy. She’s always asking other kids to help her.
• Ahmed became a needy child after his parents divorced.
• Geraldo works with needy people all day.
• There are needy people all over the world who get help from charitable organizations.

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Published on March 8, 2012