A1Everyday needs and choices

Need and want: say what is necessary and what you would like

Use need and want with things and actions, ask questions, explain a purpose, and make a simple request.

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Learn

Read the examples, then check each idea as you go.

In this lesson

Decide what you want to say about the situation
Name the thing after need or want
Put to before the action
Use needs and wants with he, she or it
Ask with do or does
Keep don't need and don't want separate
Add what the thing is for
Choose a polite form for a request

Keep these points in mind

Need says that something is necessary; want expresses a wish or choice.
Use a noun for a thing and to + verb for an action.
After does or doesn't, use need or want without -s.
I'd like is a useful polite way to ask for something.

Use need when you say that something is necessary. Use want when you say what you would like. Both words can name a thing or introduce an action. The choice tells the listener how you see the situation.

Decide what you want to say about the situation

Choose need to say that something is necessary for you or for a task. The need can be small and practical, such as a pen for a form. It does not have to be an emergency.

Choose want to say what you would like to have or do. The same thing can be a need in one situation and a want in another. These words express the speaker's meaning; they do not put every object into a fixed group.

I need a pen to sign this form.

The pen is necessary for the task.

I want a green pen because I like the color.

The speaker expresses a choice.

Check this idea

Mina says, 'I need my glasses to read this.' What does she mean?

Choose one answer.

The glasses are necessary for this task.She only likes the color of the glasses.She is asking someone else to read.

Name the thing after need or want

Put the thing directly after need or want. For one countable thing, use a complete phrase such as a bag, this key or my phone. Do not add to before the name of the thing.

Water and help do not usually take a or an. You can use some with these words when you mean an amount. Plural things can follow need or want with a number or another suitable word.

We need two chairs.

Two tells us how many chairs are necessary.

I want some water.

Water names the thing; there is no to before it.

Check this idea

Choose the complete sentence about one bag.

Choose one answer.

I need bag.I need to a bag.I need a bag.

Put to before the action

Use need to or want to when the next word names an action. Keep the action in its basic form: to leave, to eat or to buy. The person before need or want does that action in this pattern.

Keep to when you add more words after the action. Need to buy a ticket describes a necessary action; want to buy a ticket describes a wish. The word ticket does not remove the to before buy.

We need to leave at eight.

Leaving at eight is necessary.

I want to cook dinner tonight.

The speaker would like to do the cooking.

Check this idea

Write the missing word before the action: I want ___ visit my friend. Your answer

Use needs and wants with he, she or it

In a present simple statement, use needs and wants after he, she, it or one person's name. Use need and want after I, you, we and they. Both words are verbs here, so you do not put am or is before them.

Only the first verb changes in the action pattern. After needs to or wants to, the next verb stays in its basic form. For these simple statements about needs and wishes, use the present simple.

Sam needs a new notebook.

Sam is one person, so need adds -s.

She wants to sit near the door.

Wants changes; sit stays in its basic form.

Check this idea

Use the present simple of want: Leo ___ to eat at home. Your answer

Ask with do or does

Start a simple yes/no question with do for I, you, we or they. Use does for he, she, it or one person's name. After do or does, use need or want without -s.

You can ask about a thing or an action. Keep to when the question includes an action. A short answer can use do or does instead of repeating the whole question.

Do you want some juice? Yes, I do.

Do matches you in the question and I in the answer.

Does Rosa need to leave? Yes, she does.

Does carries the question form, so need has no -s.

Check this idea

Complete with do or does: ___ your brother want a sandwich? Your answer

Keep don't need and don't want separate

Don't need means something is not necessary. It does not mean that you are not allowed to have it or do it. Don't want means that you would not like it.

Use doesn't with he, she, it or one name. Keep need or want without -s after doesn't. In the action pattern, keep to before the next verb.

You don't need to bring a chair. We have enough.

Bringing a chair is unnecessary; this is not a ban.

I don't want to sit outside. It's cold.

The speaker would prefer another place.

Check this idea

A host says, 'You don't need to bring food.' What does this tell you?

Choose one answer.

Bringing food is not necessary.Bringing food is not allowed.The host wants you to bring food.

Add what the thing is for

Use for + a person or thing to say who will use something or what it is for. A bag for the trip tells us why the bag is needed. A drink for my friend tells us who will receive it.

The purpose does not change need into want. Choose the first verb from your meaning, then add for to make the request clearer. Use to + verb instead when you name an action.

We need a table for the meeting.

For the meeting explains the table's purpose.

I want a small gift for my sister.

For my sister names the person who will get the gift.

Check this idea

Complete with for or to: I need a photo ___ my new card. Your answer

Choose a polite form for a request

Want is useful when you tell someone your choice. In a shop or cafe, I'd like is a useful polite way to ask for that choice. I'd like means I would like.

You can put a thing after I'd like or use I'd like to + action. Adding please helps mark the request. You can still state a real need directly, especially when explaining why you are asking.

I'd like a small tea, please.

This is a polite request for a drink.

I need a ticket for today. I'd like to leave before lunch.

The first sentence states the need; the second gives the preferred plan.

Check this idea

Which request uses would like correctly?

Choose one answer.

I'd like order soup, please.I'd like to order soup, please.I'd like ordering soup, please.

Practice what you learned

Practice

Try the questions in order. Use a hint when you need one, then read the explanation after checking.

Question 1Which sentence presents a new phone as a wish rather than a requirement?

Choose one answer.

I need a new phone.I want a new phone.I don't need a new phone.

Question 2Use the present simple of need: My cat ___ water. Your answer

Question 3Choose the question about an action.

Choose one answer.

Does Ana wants to walk home?Does Ana want walk home?Does Ana want to walk home?

Question 4Use want in this negative sentence: I don't ___ any more coffee; I would prefer some water. Your answer

Question 5Write the missing word: They need ___ find their tickets. Your answer

Question 6Which sentence says that another bag is unnecessary?

Choose one answer.

We don't need another bag.We don't want another bag.We need another bag.

Review the examples

Get a hint

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

Use it in your own words

Plan a short trip. Write four sentences: one thing you need, one action you need to do, something you want, and a polite request with I'd like. Add a reason or purpose to one sentence.

Your writing

Write in English, then compare your writing with the checklist. This activity uses self-review, so it does not give a score.

Check your writing

I used need for a requirement and want for a wish.
I put to before an action after need, want or I'd like.
My request says what I would like.
I included a reason or purpose.

Read an example response

I need a bag for the trip. I need to buy a train ticket. I want to sit with my friend. I'd like two seats together, please.

Try the test

Test

Answer without hints. Your result shows which questions to review; you can change your answers and try again.

Question 1Use the present simple of want: My parents ___ to visit on Sunday. Your answer

Question 2Which negative sentence is correct?

Choose one answer.

She doesn't needs a taxi.She doesn't need a taxi.She don't need a taxi.

Question 3Complete with for or to: I want a notebook ___ my English class. Your answer

Question 4A guide says, 'You need a ticket to enter.' Which meaning matches?

Choose one answer.

A ticket is a possible gift.The guide would like a ticket.A ticket is required for entry.

Question 5Complete with do or does: ___ we need to buy bread? Your answer

Question 6Choose the polite request with the meaning 'I would like a window seat.'

Choose one answer.

I'd like a window seat, please.I like window seats.I don't need a window seat.

Review the examples

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