The semi-modal NEED

Present and future

Need can behave either as a modal verb or as a main verb:

As a modal verb, need is most typically used in negative sentences or in affirmative sentences with
a negative meaning. It expresses absence of obligation or necessity, and it is followed by a bare
infinitive:

You needn't worry about that.

No one need be surprised at what happened.
You need only just ask.
I doubt whether I need help you.

Need as a modal verb also occurs in interrogative sentences, but this use is much more formal:
Need you make so much noise?

Need as a main verb is followed by a to-infinitive and expresses that something is necessary. It can
be used in affirmative, negative and interrogative sentences:

Do you have a minute? I need to talk to you about something.

I don't need to be told that I should lose weight.
Do you need to use the hairdryer?
If you want good results, you will need to work harder.

Past

The past tense of the main verb need to is needed to:

I needed to have my hair cut.

Why did they need to change the lock?

The negative form didn't need + to-infinitive normally refers to actions which were unnecessary and were
not performed:
We didn't need to buy any milk. We had plenty at home. (we didn't have to buy any milk, and we didn't
buy any)

Need as a modal does not have a past tense form. Needn't + perfect bare infinitive (have + past
participle), however, is used for actions which were performed but were unnecessary:

We needn't have bought any milk. We still have plenty at home. (we bought some milk, but it wasn't
necessary)
Quotes
Gossip needn't be false to be evil - there's a lot of truth that shouldn't be passed around.
- Frank A. Clark