grammar · neutral
need + V-ing (passive meaning)
When used after a noun/subject, 'need + -ing' means the subject requires the action (passive sense).
Examples
“This room needs cleaning before the guests arrive.”
“The bridge needs repairing after the storm.”
“Many of these historical buildings need restoring to prevent further decay.”
Band 8 sentence
“Many of these historical buildings need restoring to prevent further decay.”
Collocations
- needs cleaning
- needs repairing
Common mistakes
Many problems are needed to be solved.→Many problems need to be solved.
The room needs cleaned.→The room needs cleaning.
This house is needed to be painted.→This house needs painting.
Say it for a higher band
5need + to V→6need + past participle→7+need + V-ing (passive meaning)
Synonyms
need + to + be + past participle
Easily confused
need + to be + past participle
“This office needs to be cleaned before the meeting.”
Related words
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In The passive
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