English 1b3  [More info] After some head scratching, I deduced the following, regarding need. I hope I have it right, like I think I do.  Please check for me:      1a) He need not work--(modal), which requires the base form of the verb along with the uninflected form of 'need'   1b) *He need work--Positive statement wouldn't be used, as it looks like 'need' is a main verb here, with the meaning of 'require.'   1c) He does not need to work--(lexical/ordinary), which requires the to-infinitive, and can have preceding auxiliaries (does).     2a)He need not be included-- (modal)   2b) He need be included--(modal), less common, as not a negative sentence     3a) He need not have worked today--(modal + perfect infinitive/perfect tense)--showing someone did something, but that was unnecessary, whereas:   3b) He didn't need to work today--(lexical/ordinary verb)--showing something was unnecessary, but whether it was done or not is not specified.     Cheers               English 1b3 Joined on Wed, Dec 2 2009 Contributing Member 1,780

	+1 Gleb_Chebrikoff  [More info] Greetings, English 1b3 “2b) He need be included--(modal), less common, as not a negative sentence ” - vernacular, can only be justified by the existence of negation in a main clause, as in: I am not sure that he need be included. Otherwise, He needs to be included. Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff Gleb_Chebrikoff Joined on Thu, Aug 27 2009 Full Member 476

	+1 English 1b3  [More info] Thank you, Gleb. (I assume this single comment means you agree with the rest of my sentences and comments).   Gleb_Chebrikoff “vernacular, can only be justified by the existence of negation in a main clause, as in:”     Why/any reason you know of?                 English 1b3

	+1 Gleb_Chebrikoff  [More info] My pleasure, English 1b3. As we know, 'need' as a semi-modal (sometimes called 'need B' /as opposed to 'need A'/) occurs, among others, in sentences which are either explicitly negative or imply negation that is more clearly manifested in the main clause. One further example from A. Lejeune: Nothing that need embarrass you. Not at this stage. Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff Gleb_Chebrikoff