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"One need look no further.." Shouldn't it be "One needs look no further.."-

PangSSM
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3 Answers3

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The sentence is fine as it is, because need is a semi-modal verb. However,

One doesn't need to look any further,

would also work.

In negative sentences (and this sentence is negative because of the words no further), need and dare can be modal auxiliary verbs, behaving like the modal auxiliary verbs must, can, will, would etc. They are not conjugated, and do not take to after them.

Consider:

One must look further,
One need look no further,
One dare not look further.

In positive sentences, need and dare cannot behave this way; they are conjugated and need to be followed by to.

One needs to look further.
He dares to look further.

See this webpage

Peter Shor
  • 88,407
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I would generally regard "one", in this sense, as being 3rd-person singular. If that is the case then "needs" is the proper verb form.

(There are no doubt those who will argue that "one" isn't 3rd-person singular here, but I doubt that they could convince me.)

Hot Licks
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  • This argues that need, when used as a modal, does not inflect: https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/95031/usage-of-infinitives-in-this-sentence/95032#95032 – Xanne Aug 15 '20 at 04:58
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https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/need

When used as a main verb:

You need to study. You don't need to study. Do you need to study? Don't you need to study?

When used as a helping verb:

We need go there. We needn't go there. (Don't say, "We don't need....")

Note: Some people use "We need to go there" in affirmative; and "We need not go there" in negatives.

Ram Pillai
  • 637
  • For those enjoying down-voting: https://grammar.collinsdictionary.com/easy-learning/dare-and-need Dare and need sometimes behave like main verbs with -s inflection… Louisa doesn’t need to know. Does Paul need to go now? Paul needs to go. https://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/need_1: Need as a transitive: I need a drink. Do you need anything? She needs to rest. You don’t need to worry. https://www.grammaring.com/the-semi-modal-need: Do you have a minute? I don't need to be told that I should lose weight.Do you need to use the hairdryer? You will need to work harder. – Ram Pillai Aug 17 '20 at 06:50