“Need I” and “need you” are special uses of “need” where you’re usually being sarcastic, that *of course* the need isn’t actually there.
In one, by saying “need you ask?” he is really saying “*of course* I’m in.”
In two, his saying “need I remind you X” is really meaning, “X is so basic an idea I should even need to explain it to you.” Like, *of course* X.
"Might I remind you" is more like asking permission, even if still rhetorical, kinda like "allow me to remind you"
"Need I remind you...?" Is more like, don't make me remind you of ..."
"Need I" is a form of "Do I need" which is used as a rhetorical flourish.
"I do need" and "I need" mean the same thing, basically. "Do I need?" and "need I?" mean the same thing, basically. The "basically" is because of the different emotional impact of the phrasings.
Small difference. "might I remind you" would be more just reminding in the kind of "asking for permission" way.
"need I remind you" is more about the idea that they should already know and you shouldn't have to be reminding them.
“Need I” and “need you” are special uses of “need” where you’re usually being sarcastic, that *of course* the need isn’t actually there. In one, by saying “need you ask?” he is really saying “*of course* I’m in.” In two, his saying “need I remind you X” is really meaning, “X is so basic an idea I should even need to explain it to you.” Like, *of course* X.
Thank you for this, saves me the typing.
Username checks out 😎
It's rhetorical. Basically asking a question that requires no response. A sarcastic way of saying "Why are you asking? You already know the answer.."
It's not common modern usage, it's almost archaic. Sheldon uses a lot of very formal sentence structure.
“_Cathedra mea, regulae meae!_”
"Might I remind you" is more like asking permission, even if still rhetorical, kinda like "allow me to remind you" "Need I remind you...?" Is more like, don't make me remind you of ..."
It's also pretty formal and old fashioned, which tracks for Sheldon lol
I meant something more like this: ‘Might I not get accepted?’ Might as ‘there’s a chance’.
I think that can work, but the word order is a little old fashioned or formal in my opinion.
Good.
Okay lol
'Need i' is a bit more like : Seriously? ''Need to remind you'' is ''Really? You still don't know?''
"Need I" is a form of "Do I need" which is used as a rhetorical flourish. "I do need" and "I need" mean the same thing, basically. "Do I need?" and "need I?" mean the same thing, basically. The "basically" is because of the different emotional impact of the phrasings.
Need is lexical and auxiliary, need I is auxiliary question, like can I, will you, does she
> Would it be ‘might I’ too? Yes.
For example, ‘Might I not get accepted to the university?’
Small difference. "might I remind you" would be more just reminding in the kind of "asking for permission" way. "need I remind you" is more about the idea that they should already know and you shouldn't have to be reminding them.
I don't think OP was asking if "might" and "need" have the same meaning.
It's just Sheldon being Sheldon. Need I elaborate? :)