by R. S. Karunaratne

What you should know about ‘need’

'Need', meaning to require something or to be obliged to do something, is a regular verb.

Present tense: needs

(singular)

need (plural)

Past tense: needed

Past participle: needed

'Need' is used to talk about things we require.

Do you need anything from Singapore?

I need a carpenter to make a table.

She needs a break after working for 12 hours.

My mobile phone needs a battery.

Note: 'Need' is usually not used in the continuous or progressive tenses.

'Need' is used to say what is required or not.

You don't need to bother too much about money.

We need to do something about the garbage problem.

'Need' can be used to say who or what is necessary to help you.

I need a hammer to drive this nail into the wall.

Khema needs a nanny to look after her baby.

'Need' is sometimes used for emphasis.

Your hair needs trimming.

The garbage heap needs cleaning.

The grass needs mowing.

'Need' is used to say what is not necessary.

You needn't (need not) clean my room.

You needn't walk the dog.

She needn't have got up at 3 a.m. to catch the office train.

He needn't sit the examination this year.

'Need' is used to talk about actions that are necessary or not necessary.

There is no need to cry, everything will be ok.

There is an urgent need for surgery.

Other expressions using 'need'.

Do you need a hand with the heavy parcels? (= Do you require help?)

I am in need of a good dictionary. (= require)

We can always hire a cab, if need be. (= if necessary)

I badly need a job. (= strongly want)

A: Did you make a scene at the party?

B: Need you ask! (the answer is obvious)

Need I say, I am extremely sorry to hear of your grandmother's death. (= obviously)

You need your head examined if you are going to invest all your savings in a finance company. (= you are going to do something stupid)

Guns! Who needs them? (= Guns are not necessary)

Common mistake:

Rani needs improve her English. (Wrong)

Rani needs to improve her English. (Correct)

Memorable proverbs

A proverb is a short sentence usually known by many people, stating something commonly experienced or giving advice.

1. An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Apples contain a variety of minerals and vitamins. If you eat apples, you are unlikely to fall ill. Then there is no need to meet the doctor.

2. A bad workman blames his tools.

A person who cannot do a proper job often blames his instruments. For instance, a child who did not write a good essay would say, "I could have done better if I had had a good pen."

3. Be on the safe side.

Children get up early to attend school. It is always better to be on the safe side. Otherwise they will attend school late.

4. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Beauty is something subjective. What you consider to be beautiful may not appeal to another person.

5. Beauty is only skin deep.

A beautiful woman may turn out to be an aggressive person. When she starts fighting with others, we can say, 'Beauty is only skin deep.'

6. Life is not a bed of roses.

We are not always happy. There are ups and downs in life. You cannot expect life to be comfortable all the time.

7. Beggars cannot be choosers.

Beggars are always in need of food and clothing. However, they have to be satisfied with what they receive.

8. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Most people are not content with what they have. In order to increase their wealth, they gamble. As a result, they lose what they have.

9. Birds of a feather flock together.

People who have common interests generally get together. They take a lesson from birds.

10. Don't bite the hand that feeds you.

Some people turn against the very people who helped them to come up in life. This is unethical (=immoral)

11. A black sheep.

A black sheep is quite visible when it is with a flock of white sheep. However, the proverb is used to refer to someone who wastes his time and energy doing unprofitable work.

12. Bying a pig in a poke.

A poke is a sack. The proverb refers to buying something without properly examining it.

13. Casting pearls before swine.

Swine or pigs do not know the value of pearls. Similarly we cannot teach serious subjects to illiterate people. It's like casting pearls before swine.

Starters:

Write coherently

Beginners have the bad habit of writing whatever that comes to mind. When you are writing an essay or even a paragraph follow a fixed pattern.

If you are writing a composition on "My mother," devote the first part to describe her physical features. You can mention whether she is tall, fat or slim. She may have some special features such as long hair, fair complexion, round face, or long neck.Then you can write about your mother's skills. She may be a teacher, doctor, lawyer, administrative officer or simply a housewife. In addition, she may be a good singer, musician, artist or dancer.

Your next task is to discuss her hobbies. Some mothers collect stamps, old coins or pens. Does she read novels or poems? Is she a member of the Public Library? What kind of books interest her? Try to answer these questions.

Now you can tell us something about your mother's qualities. She may be a very busy person, but a mother will always care for her children. Is she a strict disciplinarian? What makes her angry? Does she spend some time with her children? When you answer these questions, you will have a complete composition about your mother.

So, avoid mixing up these parts and try to write a coherent composition or essay whenever you are asked to do so.

Make a word circle

Here is an interesting way to improve your vocabulary. Try to fill in the blanks with words starting with 'C'. Check your answers with the key.

1. The noise of a hen.

2. A golfer's attendant

3. A composition of flour, butter, sugar etc.

4. The young of the cow

5. Still

6. An absurd story

7. Sincere

8. Pertaining to dogs

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Key: 1. cackle, 2. caddie, 3. cake, 4. calf, 5. calm, 6. canard, 7. candid, 8. canine.

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Fun with vowels

1. De - r : An animal with four legs

2. Cr - w : A bird

3. Dw - rf : Somebody below the

ordinary size

4. - agle : A large bird of prey

5. D - g : A domesticated animal

6. - lf : A fairy

7. So-p : A liquid food

8. Th-ef : A person who steals

9. Cuck- : A migratory bird

10. B- : The insect that makes honey.

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Key: 1. DEER

2. CROW

3. DWARF

4. EAGLE

5. DOG

6. ELF

7. SOUP

8. THIEF

9.CUCKOO

10. BEE

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