 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
126
Need she go there? (hoping for a negative answer)
I wonder if I need go there, (statement of doubt)
In negative statements need followed by a
perfect infinitive indicates that the action expressed by the
infinitive was performed but was not necessary. It implies a waste of time or effort, and is therefore translated
by зря, незачем, не к чему было.
You needn’t have spent all the money. Now we've got nothing left.
Зря ты потратил все деньги, не к чему было тратить ... .
We needn’t have waited for her because she never came at all.
Нечего было ее ждать. Она все равно не пришла.
The difference between the two forms of need in negative sentences is as follows: the regular verb indicates
that the action was not done because it was unnecessary, whereas the defective verb shows that the action,
although unnecessary, was carried out. Compare the following examples:
Didn’t need to do smth = It wasn’t necessary, so probably not done.
We didn’t need to say anything at all, which was a great comfort.
She didn’t need to open the drawer because it was already open.
Needn’t have done smth. = It was not necessary, but done nonetheless.
You needn’t have said anything. Then he would never have known about it.
She needn’t have opened the drawer. She found it empty when she did.
Ought to
§ 160. The modal verb ought has only one form. It is not changed in reported speech.
Ought combines with the to-infinitive. When followed by the non-perfect or continuous infinitive it indicates
reference to the present or future. In indirect speech it may also refer the action to the past.
You ought to be ashamed of yourself.
I told him that he ought to do it, so he did it.
She told him he ought not to go away.
Ought expresses:
1. Moral duty, moral obligation (which is not always fulfilled). It corresponds to the Russian следует.
You ought to look after your children better (you don’t always do it).
Вам следует больше заботиться о детях.
I wonder whether I oughtn’t to speak to him.
He ought to be punished, oughtn’t he?
When used with the perfect infinitive ought means that something right has not been done, a desirable action
has not been carried out, and it, therefore, implies reproach.
You ought to have helped him (but you didn’t).
Вам следовало бы ему помочь.
Не ought to have been more careful (he was not careful enough).
Ему следовало бы быть более осторожным.
Ought not + perfect infinitive means that something wrong has been done and it is now too late to change
it. It may also be viewed as a reproach.
She told him he ought not to have done it (but he had done it).