The Function of Need to as Auxiliary or Main Verb

   The Function of NEED TO as Auxiliary or Main Verb. In English, sometimes we have to use word “NEED TO” in making a sentence. “NEED TO can be function as auxiliary verb or as main verb. For this, I want to share about the function of NEED TO. However, before discussing about NEED TOO, it is necessary to understand about the meaning about auxiliary verb and main verb.

 The meaning of auxiliary verb. An auxiliary verb is a verb that adds functional or grammatical meaning to the clause in which it appears. An auxiliary verb accompanies a main verb. An auxiliary verb is followed by a main verb.

Example

I have finished my homework. (Have=auxiliary verb) and (Finished=main verb)

She can do the best. (can=auxiliary verb) and (do=main verb)

 The meaning of main verb. A main verb is a word used as the final verb in a verb phrase, expressing the lexical meaning of the verb phrase. A main verb is also called “Full Verb” or commonly called “Verb”

Example

I drink tea. (drink is main verb),

She has gone to Surabaya. (gone=main verb)

 After understanding the meaning of auxiliary verb and main verb as we discussed above, now let’s discuss about NEED TO. There are two functions of NEED TO. It can be function as auxiliary verb and main verb.

1. NEED TO as Auxiliary Verb.

 When NEED TO is used as auxiliary verb, it should be followed by main verb so the pattern is

(+) Subject + Need + Verb + Complement

Example

We need study hard for our National Test

She need prepare everything in wedding party

(-) Subject + Need + not + Verb + Complement

Example

We need not study hard for our National Test

She need not prepare everything in wedding party

(?) Need + Subject + Verb + Complement

Example

Need we study hard for our National Test?

Need she prepare everything in wedding party?

Note

1. When NEED is used as auxiliary, there is no change of it although the subject is third singular person (she, he, it). So we may not add “S” after NEED.
2. Need not can be brief as NEEDN’T.

Example

We need not study hard for our National Test

Can be changed as

We needn’t study hard for our National Test.

She need not prepare everything in wedding party.

Can be changed as

She needn’t prepare everything in wedding party.

2. NEED TO as Main Verb

 When NEED TO is used as main verb or full verb or verb, it should be followed by TO before another VERB.

The Pattern

(+) Subject + Need + to + Verb1 + Complement

We need to study hard for our National Test

She need to prepare everything in wedding party

(-) Subject + Do/Does + Not + Need + to + Verb1 + Complement

We do not need to study hard for our National Test.

She does not need to prepare everything in wedding party

(?) Do/Does + Subject + Need + to + Verb1 + Complement

Do we need to study hard for our National Test?

Does she need to prepare everything in wedding party?

 That’s all I can share about the function of NEED TO. Hopefully it will be useful for increasing our English understanding.