You need water when you're thirsty. You may want" fancy water, but all you really "need" is water.
Get the difference? Let's see.
Select the correct word in each phrase:
1. You have one pair of jeans and you just destroyed them.
I want / need a new pair of jeans.
I want / need a fancy pair of designer jeans.
2. Your computer just self-destructed.
I want / need a brand new computer.
I want / need a computer, and maybe a used one is better.
3. You have a new job and you need to get to work and back each day.
I want / need a sports car.
I want / need a car of some type to get to work.
I want/need to get to work, and though a car would be nice, my
budget may tell me I need to take the bus.
4. You love eating out.
want / need to eat out a lot.
But I don't want / need to eat out a lot. I could eat out less, you
know, and save some bucks.