The article deals with the features of functioning of the main explicators of the modal meaning of need (adverbs “надо”, “нужно”, predicative adverb “должен / должна”) in the statements of men and women as presented in journalistic texts. The comparative frequency of the use of the specified explicators in speech of men and women is under consideration in the article, the reasons for their difference regarding the purpose of the verbal communication and gender factors are found out.