need 可以當動詞用，也可當助動詞用。

當動詞用時，用法如下：

1.他們需要食物。

They need food.

(疑問句) Do they need food?

(否定句) They do not need food.

(過去時) They needed food.

2.他需要出席本會。

He needs to attend the meeting.

（疑問句）Does he need to attend the meeting?

(否定句) He doesn’t need to attend the meeting.

(過去時) He had to attend the meeting.

(將來時) He will have to attend the meeting.

3.這篇文章需要修訂。

This article needs revising.

This article needs to be revised.

當助動詞時，只能用於疑問和否定的情況，其用法與其他助動詞無異。

4.他需要寫什麼嗎？

Need he write anything?

比較：

5.我不清楚他是否需要寫什麼？

I don’t know whether he need write anything.

6.他不需要寫什麼。

He need not write anything.

比較：

7.沒有人需要寫什麼。

Nobody need write anything.

8.你只有寫名字就行了。

You need only write your name.

9.你其實不需要那麼急的，火車晚點。

You need not have hurried. The train is late.

注意：Need not have + Vp﹒p 表示“實在不必做，但已經做了”

10.我們本不該點這麼多吃的。

We need not have ordered so much food.

補充幾個最常用的名詞句型：

a need for something; a need to do something; there is a need; be in need of.

她對友誼的需要 （her need for friendship）有必要保護環境 （a need to preserve the environment）急需現金(There is a desperate need for cash.) 我們需要資金 （we are in need of funds. 不說 we have a need of funds.）