3

I am confused as to when to use "a need" and "the need".

I felt a/the need to take a shower.

With this sentence, we are assuming that there was no mention about the need to take shower before.

I do not think it is defined by first mentioned rule. I am assuming that it depends on the speaker.

If the speaker acknowledges that it is a definite need, that of taking a shower, then he will use "the".

If he feels no need to denote its definiteness and acknowledges that it is told for the first time, he will use "a".

Am I right?

| improve this question | |
  • There is no real difference in meaning between Feel a need and Feel the need. No rule is in play here; "feel a need" and "feel the need" are mildly idiomatic in English, and both express only Need or Want. In fact, a common definition of the verb Want is to feel a need or a desire for. – P. E. Dant Reinstate Monica Aug 14 '16 at 21:31
  • @P.E.Dant Thank you! So there is no definiteness involved with "the need"? – whitedevil Aug 14 '16 at 21:32
  • Neither "definiteness" nor "indefiniteness." In this case, "feel a/the need" probably connotes only "need" or "want:" "I needed (or wanted) to take a shower." – P. E. Dant Reinstate Monica Aug 14 '16 at 21:36
  • @P.E.Dant What about "there was a/the need to..."? Is it related to definiteness? – whitedevil Aug 14 '16 at 21:37
  • Without context, there's no good answer. – P. E. Dant Reinstate Monica Aug 14 '16 at 21:48
1

Your question on use "a need" versus "the need" is subtle.
"A" in more general and generic than "the", but often they are interchangeable.

There is a need to improve things.
There is a general desire to improve things

There is the need to improve education.
There is a specific desire to improve schooling

The company has a need for a marketing director.
the company would like to have a marketing director

The company has the need for a marketing director.
the company urgently needs a marketing director

One of the most famous examples for "the" is

I feel the need, the need for speed

| improve this answer | |

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.