Question
Updated on
14 Aug 2022
- Simplified Chinese (China)
-
English (US)
-
English (UK)
Question about English (US)
Could you please tell me how to understand "need be" here?
If need be, we’ll rent a car.
Could you please tell me how to understand "need be" here?
If need be, we’ll rent a car.
If need be, we’ll rent a car.
Answers
14 Aug 2022
Featured answer
- English (UK)
- English (US)
If the need should exist (in the future)
If we realize that the need exists
If we need (a car)
This is a conditional sentence, because it contains an “if” clause. The “if” clause sets forth the condition which might exist in the future.
“If need be” is an idiom which was much more common years ago; its grammar is correct but not preferred in contemporary English.
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- English (US)
If we need to.. if it becomes necessary... if the need arises...
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- English (UK)
- English (US)
If the need should exist (in the future)
If we realize that the need exists
If we need (a car)
This is a conditional sentence, because it contains an “if” clause. The “if” clause sets forth the condition which might exist in the future.
“If need be” is an idiom which was much more common years ago; its grammar is correct but not preferred in contemporary English.
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- Simplified Chinese (China)
@ladybug I was thinking to post a question about asking if "be" means "exist" in that sentence and now you just explained it that way to me. How glad and how grateful I am!
But I don't understand why "be" there keeps its basic form? And "need" is also in the uncountable form, it seems?
But I don't understand why "be" there keeps its basic form? And "need" is also in the uncountable form, it seems?
- Simplified Chinese (China)
- English (US)
@you_wu "be" is subjunctive. A more modern example: "It's important that he be here by noon." We don't use subjunctive for "if" clauses anymore. But "if need be" is a set phrase that we still use.
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- English (US)
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- Simplified Chinese (China)
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