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Ask & Learn闻问切英语口语:Need be
上一期读者William问及the Need be，令我想起另外一句惯用语：if need be，意思是「如有必要」。南非前总统曼德拉就有一句名言：
"But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."「有必要的话，我愿意为这个理想付出生命。 」
我们在曼德拉的例子看到，If need be也有人说成if needs be。用日常用语说出来，应该是if there is a need或者if the needs are there，两个都有人用，但比不上if need be或者if needs be那么常用。
再举一个日常生活例子。F先生前几天小病，不得不向上司请假，信中他说：
"I would be appreciative if I could be excused from the meeting this afternoon, but if need be, I'd be happy to come, too."
今天下午的会议，我希望你容许我缺席，但若有必要，我还是愿意出席的。
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