modal questions

Guest   Mon Sep 17, 2007 9:15 am GMT
Why is it that we can say "you needn't worry", but not "you need worry"?

And:

Why can't we use "must" below?

I should go to confession, but I’m not going to.
#I must go to confession, but I’m not going to.
RalphZ   Mon Sep 17, 2007 11:49 am GMT
I must go to confession, but i'm not going to... I think in a lot of scenarios it could be possible.

Hey Ralph you must submit your dissertation tomorrow remember?
well...I must I know... but I'm not going to I think...
Gwest   Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:54 pm GMT
Doesn't "I must" mean "I think it is necessary"? If so, Ralph's suggestion doesn't work.
RalphZ   Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:58 pm GMT
you are not going to do everything you think "it is necessary", or sometimes you are not be able to do. Like my instance, you "must" submit your dissertation on time, but you had been playing all the time, so you are not be able to do this, when your friend ask you, you may say:

well...I must hand it in I know... but you know I even haven't started yet, so Im not going to hand it in, maybe I will have a diploma without a degree.
furrykef   Mon Sep 17, 2007 4:42 pm GMT
To me, "I must" always implies intent, so "I must, but I don't think I will" doesn't make sense to me. I would say, "I need to, but I don't think I will". Some people might use "must" that way, but I don't.

- Kef