Modal Verb Need Exercises and Examples

These exercises focus on Need

What is Need?

"Need" tells us when something is necessary or important to do.

Examples:

I need to drink water. (It’s necessary to drink water.)
She needs to study for the test. (It’s important for her to study.)

Rules for Using Need

1. Forming Sentences with "Need"

"Need" is followed by "to" and a base verb (the main verb in its simplest form).

Structure: Subject + need(s) + to + base verb

Subject	Verb	Example
I/You/We/They	need to	We need to leave early.
He/She/It	needs to	He needs to call his mom.

Examples:

I need to go to the store.
She needs to finish her homework.
They need to clean their room.

2. Negative Sentences with "Need"

When you want to say something is not necessary, use don’t/doesn’t need to before the base verb.

Subject	Verb	Example
I/You/We/They	don’t need to	You don’t need to bring your book.
He/She/It	doesn’t need to	She doesn’t need to wake up early.

Examples:

I don’t need to buy food today. (It’s not necessary.)
He doesn’t need to go to school tomorrow.

3. Asking Questions with "Need"

To ask if something is necessary, use Do/Does + subject + need to + base verb.

Question Word	Structure	Example
Do	Do + you/we/they + need to	Do you need to leave now?
Does	Does + he/she/it + need to	Does she need to finish this?

Examples:

Do you need to bring your passport?
Does he need to call his friend?

Common Errors with Need

Forgetting "to" after "need"

Error: I need finish my homework.
Correction: I need to finish my homework.

Using the wrong verb form for "he/she/it"

Error: She need to study.
Correction: She needs to study.

Confusing negatives

Error: She don’t need to work.
Correction: She doesn’t need to work.

Everyday Uses of Need

At School

I need to do my homework.
Does she need to bring her book?

At Work

We need to finish the project by Friday.
He doesn’t need to attend the meeting.

At Home

I need to clean my room.
You don’t need to wash the dishes tonight.

FAQs About Need

When do I use "needs"?

Use "needs" with he, she, or it:

She needs to study.
He needs to wake up early.

How do I say something is not necessary?

Use don’t/doesn’t need to:

I don’t need to work today.
He doesn’t need to run so fast.

How do I ask a question with "need"?

Use Do/Does at the start:

Do you need to leave now?
Does she need to bring anything?

Can I use "need" in the past?

Yes! Use needed to for the past:

I needed to go to the store yesterday.

Is "need" the same as "have to"?

They are similar! Both mean something is necessary, but "need to" can be softer.

Modal Verb Need