Expressing Necessity for Others: Neces

This pattern uses a specific "formula." You need two different people in the sentence. If you need to do something yourself, you just say Necesito comer. Easy, right? But if you need your brother to eat, you say Necesito que mi hermano coma. Notice that extra que? It acts like a glue. It connects your need to their action. The first part is in the normal present tense (Necesito). The second part, after the que, switches to the Subjunctive. It is like a grammar traffic light. The que tells the second verb to change its shape. You are essentially saying: "I have a requirement... that... person X performs action Y."

1. 1Start with the verb necesitar. Conjugate it for the person who has the need. Most often, this is you: necesito.
2. 2Add the magic word que. Never skip this! It is the signal that the Subjunctive is coming.
3. 3Identify the person who needs to do the action. This is your second subject (e.g., tú, él, nosotros).
4. 4Conjugate the second verb in the Present Subjunctive.
5. 5For -ar verbs: Use -er endings (e.g., hablar becomes hables).
6. 6For -er and -ir verbs: Use -ar endings (e.g., comer becomes comas).
7. 7Put it all together: Necesito + que + tú + ayudes.

Use this whenever you are delegating tasks. It is perfect for the office. "I need you to send the email." It is essential for chores at home. "I need you to wash the dishes." Use it when asking for favors. "I need you to help me with this bag." It is also great for social plans. "I need you to be there at eight." Basically, if you are the "boss" of the moment, you need this rule. It covers any situation where your peace of mind depends on someone else's muscles or brainpower. Even cats use this (internally) when they need you to open the tuna can.

Do not use the Subjunctive if you are the one doing the action. This is the biggest trap! If you say Necesito que yo vaya, native speakers will look at you funny. It is like saying "I need that I go." Just say Necesito ir. Simple is better. If there is only one person involved, stick to the infinitive (the -ar, -er, or -ir form). Also, do not use it for facts. If you are just stating that someone is doing something, use the normal present tense. Veo que tú trabajas (I see you are working) is a fact. Necesito que tú trabajes (I need you to work) is a requirement.

• Forgetting the que: You cannot say Necesito tú vengas. It sounds like "I need you come." Use the glue!
• Using the normal tense: Saying Necesito que tú vienes is the most common error. It sounds like a broken radio to a Spanish speaker.
• Mixing up the endings: Remember, -ar verbs take -e, and -er/-ir verbs take -a. It is a total swap. If you use the wrong ending, you might accidentally say something else entirely.
• Same-subject confusion: Using this for yourself. Necesito que yo coma (✗) vs Necesito comer (✓). Don't make it harder than it needs to be!

• Tener que: This is for general obligation. Tienes que estudiar means "You have to study." It is a fact of life. Necesito que estudies is more personal. It is my need for you to do it.
• Hay que: This is for "one must." It is impersonal. Hay que limpiar means "Cleaning needs to happen." It doesn't point a finger at anyone. Necesito que limpies points a very specific finger at you.
• Quiero que: This is very similar! Quiero que vengas means "I want you to come." Necesito que vengas is stronger. It implies it is a necessity, not just a whim.