it needs adapting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it needs adapting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that something requires modification or adjustment to fit a particular purpose or context. Example: "The current plan is not effective; it needs adapting to better suit our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In this project, it was not just the ICF language that needed adapting.

Disability and Rehabilitation

The original approaches, as models, may need adapting.

CBE Life Sciences Education

The only way a company will be able to expand successfully is by understanding how, if at all, it needs to adapt its product to satisfy the local tastes of the new market it plans to enter, he wrote in Strategy + Business.

The New York Times

Now it needs to adapt it to its principles.

The Economist

It needs to adapt.

The Guardian - Tech

Yes, it needs to adapt.

The Guardian

And the success of Frieze has taught Armory that it needs to adapt or sink.

The Guardian - Arts

"But legality is an instrument; it needs to adapt to reality and to democratic will, and not the other way round.

The Guardian

"We need to make sure Britain has the energy infrastructure it needs to adapt to both greater use of nuclear power and renewable energy, wherever it's generated," he added.

The Guardian

In the speech, entitled Where Next?, Hall will address the technological challenges facing the BBC and, in particular, how it needs to adapt to the consumption of digital content on devices other than TVs and radios.

The Guardian

What is particularly wooden-headed about this is that Afghanistan ought to have been a golden opportunity for NATO to show its continuing usefulness in the post-cold-war world by conducting exactly the sort of "out-of-area" operation to which it needs to adapt itself if it is not to die.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it needs adapting", ensure the context clearly identifies what "it" refers to. For instance, "The curriculum is outdated; it needs adapting to reflect current industry standards."

Common error

Avoid using "it needs adapting" without a clear antecedent for "it". This can lead to confusion. Instead of saying "It needs adapting", specify what requires adaptation: "The marketing strategy needs adapting."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it needs adapting" functions as a statement indicating the necessity for modification or adjustment. It suggests that a particular subject requires changes to better suit a specific purpose, context, or requirement. Based on Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it needs adapting" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate the requirement for modification or adjustment. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and can be used in written English. While its register is generally neutral, contextual appropriateness should be considered, opting for more formal alternatives like "it requires modification" in certain settings. Due to the limited number of real-world examples, assessing the phrase's frequency and distribution across various domains is difficult. Remember to maintain clarity by ensuring the referent of "it" is unmistakable and avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it requires modification

Emphasizes the necessity of changing something, using a more formal term.

it needs to be modified

Adds a passive voice construction, highlighting the object being changed.

it requires adjustment

Focuses on fine-tuning or tweaking something to improve its fit or function.

it needs to be adjusted

Passive voice that focuses on the fine tuning to make it correct.

it needs some tweaking

Suggests minor alterations or improvements are needed.

it has to be changed

Expresses a strong obligation for alteration.

it should be revised

Implies a need for review and potential changes.

it could use some refinement

Suggests that the subject is good in general but there's room for improvement.

it demands revision

Similar to the previous one, suggests that the subject has to be revised.

it calls for adaptation

A more formal and emphatic way of expressing the need for change.

FAQs

How can I use "it needs adapting" in a sentence?

Use "it needs adapting" when you want to express that something requires changes to better suit a specific purpose or situation. For example: "The software is functional, but "it needs adapting" for mobile devices".

What are some alternatives to "it needs adapting"?

You can use alternatives like "it requires modification", "it needs to be modified", or "it requires adjustment" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "it needs adapting" or "it needs to be adapted"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "it needs to be adapted" is more formal and explicit. "It needs adapting" is slightly more concise and can be used in less formal contexts.

What does "adapting" mean in the phrase "it needs adapting"?

In this context, "adapting" means modifying or adjusting something to make it suitable for a new purpose or set of conditions. It implies a process of change and refinement.