need +to

[abcdeflearn]

You don't need to help me.

You need not help me.<------------2)

You need not to help me.<-----------3)

How come the middle sentence can be written this way?

Is " need" used as some kind of modal verb?

Also, is sentence 3) correct too?

Thanks

[Marius Hancu]

Yes, need is semi-modal:

http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-501&cop=mss&p=need+%22semi-modal%22&x=34&y=14

[Bridget]

IMO, #3 has a different meaning.

You don't need to help me.
You need not help me.

= It is not necessary that you help me.

You need not to help me.

= I don't want your help/stop helping me/stop trying to help me.