is this sentence right? then why?

Question

sorry, I am not a native speaker so I have some lapses in english.
I just wonder if this sentence below is right and if it is, why?

I need scarcely add that, being so absent-minded, he became a famous professor.

I think it's wrong and should be changed like " I need scarcely to add that...."
when we usually write the verb "need" and another verb right after that , we add "to" so that it could be "need to do(verb)".

Thank you for your answer :)

Answer 1

It's a perfectly good sentence and requires no change, especially in British usage.

In English (and other Germanic languages) there is a class of verbs called 'Modal Verbs'. These are the verbs that work with another verb. Examples are can, must, may, might, would, should, etc.

'Need' is a bit unusual in that it is used both as a 'normal' verb and a modal verb. In your sentence, it's a modal, and does not take the full infinitive following. That would be like saying 'I can to speak English'.

Having said all that, the use of 'need' as a modal is disappearing in the US. It is alive and well in the UK, and you will still see and hear it used in formal writing and speech in the US, but in casual conversation, the 'to' part of the infinitive is generally used.

Incorrect - no. Formal - yes.

The link below explains more about 'need' and its uses.

Answer 2

Yes, you need to add "to" after scarcely. It's a very nice sentence, especially for somebody that is not a native English speaker. And yes you are right that every time you use need plus a verb, you have to insert the word "to" after need. Good luck and best wishes!

Answer 3

No, it is not exactly wrong. 'Need' is a 'nice' verb.....

But you can also say:

I scarcely need adding that, being so absent-minded, he became a famous professor...........

Lets have the opinions of other 'native' English speakers.........

Answer 4

It is not actually wrong, but it sounds very old fashioned. In more current English, it would be more common to say "I scarcely need to add that ..." In other words, you are right in sensing that you should use "to" in this case.

Answer 5

it's wrong. "i scarcely need to add that.." or "i need to scarcely add that.."
but i think 'scarcely' is not the right adverb to use because it is for quantities of material things. try "barely" ( i barely need to add that.."
or how about just saying "i need not add that.."? -- easier, right?

Answer 6

hi,
how about this:

Being so absent minded, I hasten to add, that he became a famous professor.

i hope this helped. :)