don't need vs need not

[Winwin2011]

1. You don't need to go to work if you don't feel well.
2. You need not go to work if you don't feel well.

Is there any difference between 'don't need' and 'need not' in the above sentences?

Thanks.

 

[bhaisahab]

1. You don't need to go to work if you don't feel well.
2. You need not go to work if you don't feel well.

Is there any difference between 'don't need' and 'need not' in the above sentences?

Thanks.

There is no difference in meaning.

 

[BobK]

:up: But I suspect that 2 is not used in Am E, or sounds pretentious. Wait for an American view.

b

 

[charliedeut]

Wait for an American view.

Well, here you are:



;-) :-o :shock: :up:

PS: The Grand Canyon

 

[Chicken Sandwich]

I cannot present such a breathtaking American view, but Raymond Murphy says in English Grammar in Use that "needn't" is unusual in AmE. I suspect that the same goes for "need not." In other words, a speaker of AmE would say, 'We don't need to hurry' instead of 'We needn't hurry.'