Your taskFill in the gap in each sentence with the correct word or phrase.needn't have prepareddidn't need to workneedn't have broughtdidn't need to helpneedn't have worndidn't need to driveneedn't have argueddidn't need to takeneedn't have apologiseddidn't need to leaveneedn't have got updidn't need to submitneedn't have ordereddidn't need to showneedn't have emailed0 / 15 answeredYour score0 / 150%Keep practising! Focus on the explanations below.1I cooked enough for ten, but only five guests turned up — I such a huge meal. (prepare)Correct answer: needn't have prepared▸ Why?The cooking happened and now I realise it was unnecessary → "needn't have prepared". "Didn't need to prepare" would mean I didn't cook at all, which contradicts "I cooked enough for ten".2The deadline was extended on Friday afternoon, so luckily I all weekend after all. (work)Correct answer: didn't need to work▸ Why?The extension removed the need before the action happened, so the weekend work didn't take place → "didn't need to work". "Needn't have worked" would imply I did work, contradicting "luckily".3Look — the corridor is full of flowers already. We another bouquet. (bring)Correct answer: needn't have brought▸ Why?The bouquet has been brought (we're looking at it) but turns out to be one of many → "needn't have brought". "Didn't need to bring" would mean we didn't bring one, which the situation rules out.4There were already plenty of volunteers signed up, so we at the food bank in the end. (help)Correct answer: didn't need to help▸ Why?The full volunteer list removed the need before we got involved, so we didn't help → "didn't need to help". "Needn't have helped" would imply we did help, contradicting "in the end".5It turned out to be much more casual than I expected — I a suit and tie. (wear)Correct answer: needn't have worn▸ Why?I'm wearing the suit and now realise it was overkill → "needn't have worn". "Didn't need to wear" would mean I never put it on, contradicting "much more casual than I expected".6Sara dropped the contract off herself in the afternoon, so I to her office at all. (drive)Correct answer: didn't need to drive▸ Why?Sara's action removed the need, so the drive never happened → "didn't need to drive". "Needn't have driven" would imply I did drive, contradicting "at all".7You with the waiter about the bill — they ended up offering us a full refund anyway. (argue)Correct answer: needn't have argued▸ Why?The argument happened and turned out pointless → "needn't have argued". "Didn't need to argue" would mean no argument took place, contradicting "ended up offering" (which only happened after the argument).8My host insisted on picking me up at arrivals, so in the end I a taxi from the airport. (take)Correct answer: didn't need to take▸ Why?The host's offer removed the need before I booked anything → "didn't need to take". "Needn't have taken" would imply I did take a taxi, which "in the end" contradicts.9He — it wasn't his fault, and nobody blamed him in the first place. (apologise)Correct answer: needn't have apologised▸ Why?He did apologise, but the apology was unwarranted → "needn't have apologised". "Didn't need to apologise" would mean he didn't apologise, but the sentence implies he did and wishes he hadn't.10The 4 p.m. meeting was cancelled at the last minute, so I work early to attend it. (leave)Correct answer: didn't need to leave▸ Why?The cancellation removed the need before I left, so the early departure didn't happen → "didn't need to leave". "Needn't have left" would imply I did leave early, contradicting the cancellation.11The flight was delayed by two hours and we're still waiting at the gate — we so early. (get up)Correct answer: needn't have got up▸ Why?We did get up early and now wish we hadn't → "needn't have got up". "Didn't need to get up" would mean we're still in bed, contradicting "waiting at the gate".12My assistant filed the quarterly report on Monday, so I it myself this week. (submit)Correct answer: didn't need to submit▸ Why?The assistant's action removed the need, so I never submitted it → "didn't need to submit". "Needn't have submitted" would imply I did submit it, duplicating the assistant's work.13Look at all these leftovers in the fridge — you really the second pizza. (order)Correct answer: needn't have ordered▸ Why?The pizza was ordered (we're looking at the leftovers) and turned out unnecessary → "needn't have ordered". "Didn't need to order" would imply no second pizza exists, contradicting the leftovers.14They accepted my word straight away, so I any supporting documents in the end. (show)Correct answer: didn't need to show▸ Why?Their acceptance removed the need before any documents were produced → "didn't need to show". "Needn't have shown" would imply I did show documents, contradicting "in the end".15The answer was on the FAQ page in plain English the whole time — we support at all. (email)Correct answer: needn't have emailed▸ Why?The emails to support were sent and turned out pointless once we found the FAQ → "needn't have emailed". "Didn't need to email" would mean we never wrote, contradicting the implied back-and-forth.Check AnswersPlease answer at least one question first.Found an error in this exercise? Let us know.