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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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are needed to be

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'are needed to be' is not correct in written English.
You would need to rewrite it in order to be used correctly. For example: "Additional materials are needed in order to complete the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both are needed, to be sure.

News & Media

The New Yorker

How many are needed to be considered significant?

News & Media

The New York Times

Different seeing skills are needed to be a safe driver.

News & Media

The New York Times

Therefore, curative medical treatments are needed to be developed.

His books are very direct and blunt in places where they are needed to be.

News & Media

The Guardian

He acknowledged, however, that more homes are needed to be built in order to satisfy demand.

At least 18 votes from the 24-member honors committee are needed to be a finalist.

What scores are needed to be considered for admission into your program?

There's a whole set of issues that are needed to be sorted through".

News & Media

Independent

However, more well designed prospective studies are needed to be able to conclude on action.

Due to clinical importance of this mutation, easy and sensitive tests are needed to be developed.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing necessity, use "need to be" or "must be" for grammatically sound sentences. For instance, say 'The reports need to be submitted by Friday' instead of 'The reports are needed to be submitted by Friday'.

Common error

Avoid adding unnecessary words that weaken the sentence. Instead of saying 'actions are needed to be taken', simply state 'actions need to be taken' or 'actions must be taken' for clarity and impact.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are needed to be" attempts to express necessity or requirement. However, according to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically incorrect. The intended function is typically conveyed more effectively and correctly using phrases like "need to be" or "are required".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

33%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "are needed to be" appears frequently across various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The primary function is to express necessity, but this is better achieved using grammatically sound alternatives such as "need to be" or "are required". Although found in scientific and news contexts, its usage should be limited to informal settings, if used at all, due to its lack of grammatical precision. Always prioritize correct grammar in formal writing by utilizing the suggested alternatives for clearer and more effective communication.

FAQs

Why is "are needed to be" considered grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "are needed to be" is redundant. The correct phrasing is simply "need to be" or "are needed". The inclusion of both "are" and "to be" creates an awkward and grammatically unsound construction.

What are some alternatives to "are needed to be" that maintain a similar meaning?

You can use alternatives like "need to be", "must be", or "are required" depending on the context.

In what contexts might I encounter the phrase "are needed to be"?

While grammatically incorrect, "are needed to be" may appear in informal writing or speech. However, it's best to avoid this phrasing in formal contexts such as academic papers or business reports.

How can I correct sentences that mistakenly use the phrase "are needed to be"?

To correct sentences using "are needed to be", simply remove "are" and use "need to be", or rephrase the sentence to use "are needed". For example, change "Repairs are needed to be done" to "Repairs need to be done" or "Repairs are needed".

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Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: