Question

Updated on 29 Jan 2023

brandun

29 January

Simplified Chinese (China)

English (US)
English (UK)

Question about English (US)

What’s the difference between “don’t have to” and “don’t need to”?

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electroguitar7

29 January

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English (US)

@branduhn "have to" can also mean "required to"

an example where they are different, maybe something like this. I am required to get my car inspected before it can be licensed. but perhaps I do not really "need" this inspection because my car is not old and has not been in any accidents. So I have to get an inspection but I didn't really need it.

but even in this case, we still might say "I need to get my car inspected." So there is a slight nuance occasionally but i would say 99% of the time, have to and need to are the same.

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electroguitar7

29 January

English (US)

in most cases these mean the same thing.

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brandun

29 January

Simplified Chinese (China)

@electroguitar7 Thanks. Can you think of a situation where they are slightly different?

electroguitar7

29 January

English (US)

@branduhn "have to" can also mean "required to"

an example where they are different, maybe something like this. I am required to get my car inspected before it can be licensed. but perhaps I do not really "need" this inspection because my car is not old and has not been in any accidents. So I have to get an inspection but I didn't really need it.

but even in this case, we still might say "I need to get my car inspected." So there is a slight nuance occasionally but i would say 99% of the time, have to and need to are the same.

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brandun

29 January

Simplified Chinese (China)

@electroguitar7 Thank you! What if I said “I ____ take off my tie because I’m going to bed”? Which do you think sounds more natural, “have to” or “need to”?

electroguitar7

29 January

English (US)

@branduhn that's a good question! I think need sounds more natural. but either one would be acceptable honestly.

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brandun

29 January

Simplified Chinese (China)

@electroguitar7 Thanks. Do you mind if I ask another question? Which preposition sounds the most natural in this blank, “at”, “in”, or “of”?

He’s the CEO ____ the corporation.

electroguitar7

29 January

English (US)

@branduhn no problem

of is the best choice for that sentence.

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brandun

29 January

Simplified Chinese (China)

@electroguitar7 What do you think about “at” and “in” though? Do they fit?

electroguitar7

29 January

English (US)

@branduhn you would still be understood if you used those, of course, but "of" is the best choice. I don't know how to explain why though, I'm sorry😅 you could also say

he is the corporation's CEO.

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brandun

29 January

Simplified Chinese (China)

@electroguitar7 Ok. Thank you. Which preposition sounds the most natural in this blank though, “at”, “in”, “of”, or “with”?

I applied for a position ____ that company.