he need not vs he needs not

Both "he need not" and "he needs not" are correct, but "he need not" is more common in modern English. Both have the same meaning and can be used interchangeably.

Explained by Michele A.
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: July 25, 2024

he need not

This phrase is correct and commonly used in modern English.

This phrase is used to indicate that something is not necessary or required. It is a formal way of expressing the negative form of 'need'.

Show examples from the web [+]

Modal auxiliary -- 'He need not worry about anything during his stay on Paradise Island.' Main verb -- 'He does not need to worry about anything during his stay ...
Jun 10, 2011 ... There are two verbs need, which mean the same thing but use different constructions: He need not be concerned. Need I be concerned?
The modal verb need does not change its form, so the third person singular of the present tense does not end in '-s': He need not take the exam. The ordinary ...
Aug 18, 2010 ... He need not ask my permission. They need not make such a fuss over it. The auxiliary need is sometimes used with hardly. We need hardly say ...

Alternatives:

he doesn't need to
he doesn't have to
he is not required to
he is under no obligation to
he is not compelled to

he needs not

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in modern English.

This phrase has the same meaning as 'he need not'. It is a formal way of expressing the negative form of 'need'.

Show examples from the web [+]

Dec 17, 2010 ... (NOT He needs not wait any longer.) The auxiliary need is sometimes used with hardly. We need hardly remind you of your promise to visit us.
... and do not take normal verb endings or normal negative constructions, e.g. he need not worry, not he needs not worry; he can't swim, not he doesn't can swim.
When She Needs to Talk and He Needs Not To. By Shaunti Feldhahn. Not long ago, a marriage counselor described what she said was a fairly common scene ...
The auxiliary need is followed by an infinitive without to. It has no –s in the third person singular. He need not wait. (NOT He needs not wait.) You need not come.

Alternatives:

he doesn't need to
he doesn't have to
he is not required to
he is under no obligation to
he is not compelled to

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he need not vs he needs not

he need not

he needs not

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