need to vs need

I was teaching a lesson the other day and a student said:

I need help my Mom. 

What they meant to say was:

I need to help my Mom.

So today let's look at the difference between need & need to. 

Need

This means that you require something. In Japanese, いる (要る). 

I need more free time.

Do you need a ride?

Do you need any help?

Need to

This is a bit different, need to means that you must do something. 

My Mom said I need to help my brother with his homework.

What do you need to do today?

I need to go to work.

Another more casual way of saying need to is have to:

I have to go to work today.

I have to catch my train = I need to catch my train.

Have a great weekend,

Phil