need not have vs needn't have

Both "need not have" and "needn't have" are correct and commonly used in English. They have the same meaning and can be used interchangeably.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 622 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"need not have"

This phrase is used to indicate that something was not necessary in the past. It is often used to express regret or surprise about an action that was done unnecessarily.

Examples:

You need not have worried about it.
She need not have gone to all that trouble.
He need not have spent so much money on the gift.
They need not have waited for us.
I need not have studied so hard for the exam.

Show examples from the web [+]

However, a business need not have goodwill.
Nearly all businesses also have liabilities, but a business need not have liabilities.
The benefits insured by an insurance contract need not have a direct or automatic relationship with the entity's obligation for employee benefits.
The benefits insured by an insurance policy need not have a direct or automatic relationship with the entity's obligation for employee benefits.
Another was taken in his place at a time when he need not have gone.
In this case, the investment entity investor need not have an exit strategy for that investment, provided that the investment entity investee has appropriate exit strategies for its investments.
They need not have been spoken.
For this test, packagings need not have their own closures fitted.
Vacuum insulated tanks need not have an opening for inspection.
In fact, she need not have hurried.
Dumped imports however need not have been the sole cause of injury.
He need not have called a taxi.
He need not have called a taxi.
You need not have got up so early.
You need not have bought the book.
She need not have done the work.
a tragedy need not have blood and death.
By derogation from the requirements of 6.8.2.2.4 shells intended for the carriage of refrigerated liquefied gases need not have an inspection opening.
The Mexican G20 need not have been a bust.
You need not have said that to me, Father.

Alternatives:

didn't need to have
didn't have to
didn't need
didn't have to have
didn't need to

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"needn't have"

This phrase is a contraction of "need not have" and is used to indicate that something was not necessary in the past. It has the same meaning as "need not have" and can be used interchangeably.

Examples:

You needn't have worried about it.
She needn't have gone to all that trouble.
He needn't have spent so much money on the gift.
They needn't have waited for us.
I needn't have studied so hard for the exam.

Show examples from the web [+]

You needn't have come back to help me.
I said you needn't have invited him.
You needn't have dressed up, Sergeant.
Later the doctor said we needn't have gone to hospital, but I wasn't going to take any chances.
She needn't have gone in such a hurry.
She needn't have gone in such a hurry.
You needn't have told Madame Celine to go to the cinema.
You needn't have taken an umbrella with you.
I know, but you needn't have said that!
You needn't have arranged a 21-gun salute.
You needn't have come over.
You needn't have come to tell me that.
You needn't have done that.
Marco saved me when he needn't have.
So he needn't have been on foot before then.
Jack, you needn't have driven separately.
It needn't have come to this.
You needn't have dressed up, Sergeant.
They needn't have worried about the second part.
You needn't have touched me.

Alternatives:

didn't need to have
didn't have to
didn't need
didn't have to have
didn't need to

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need not have vs needn't have

"need not have"

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