A:needs 這個字本身的拼法就是 N-E-E-D-S,是個副詞,但僅跟 must 連用,構成 must needs 和 needs must,不過這兩者的意思並非完全相同。must needs 和 needs must 均有「必須,務必,不得不」的意思,但 must needs 還意為「偏偏,偏要;堅持」– 含有譏諷、不滿的意思,而 needs must 則無這項意思。例如:
- I must needs go there now. (我現在非去那裡不可) (可用 needs must 代替 must needs)
- She must needs go away when I want her. (我需要她時,她偏偏離開了) (不可用 needs must)
- The telephone must needs ring when I went to bed. ( 我上床睡覺時偏偏有人來電話) (不可用 needs must)
英文中有句成語就是使用 needs must,那就是 “Needs must when the devil drives.”,意為「人在屋簷下不得不低頭;情勢所逼,不得不然」。