it needs doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it needs doing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that a task or action requires to be completed. Example: "The garden is overgrown; it needs doing before the summer party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

That it needs doing should not be.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Rowing for two hours at a moderate heart rate isn't glamorous, and it won't make you puke, but it needs doing.

The Guardian - Sport

That could even leave every NSG member except America jostling for lucrative nuclear contracts with India, with France and Russia at the head of the pack.Plainly, if the deal is to be done, it needs doing quickly.

The Economist

"I am destined to do what I do, and ultimately I'll do it at any price, if it needs doing," he says, with a "what-can-you-do-about-it?" shrug.

The Guardian - Film

Additionally, this study only selects ten grain sizes with an interval of 30 m, it needs doing more practices and attempts to verify the optimal selection.

International Journal of Coal Science & Technology

Our great strength as Americans is that we don’t wait for orders–if it needs doing, we go ahead and take the initiative.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

But it needed doing.

Independent

It just needs doing.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It is not a question that anyone can write about without a huge amount of bravery, and [it] needs doing in Russia because the Jews are quite often written about by fanatics.

The Guardian

That gave me confidence that it did need doing.

BBC

What needs does it meet?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it needs doing" when you want to emphasize the necessity of completing a task without focusing on who should do it. For example: "The report is due tomorrow; it needs doing."

Common error

Ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to when using "it needs doing" to prevent confusion. If the subject is unclear, rephrase to specify the task: "The dishes need washing" instead of "it needs doing."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it needs doing" functions as a statement expressing the necessity of performing a certain action. It focuses on the requirement for the action to be completed, without specifying the actor. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it needs doing" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey the necessity of performing a task. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides various examples. Its neutral register makes it suitable for different contexts, including news, media and informal settings. While direct, it may benefit from contextual clarity to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "it requires attention" or "it needs to be done" can offer greater specificity depending on the writing style. This makes "it needs doing" a versatile phrase, especially when the actor is implied or unimportant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it requires attention

Focuses on the necessity of giving importance or focus on something.

it demands action

Highlights the urgency and the imperative nature of the situation.

it is imperative to address

Emphasizes the critical importance of dealing with something promptly.

it is essential to complete

Stresses the fundamental necessity of finishing a task.

it is vital to undertake

Indicates that initiating a task is crucial.

it must be carried out

Highlights the obligation and enforcement associated with doing something.

it is necessary to execute

Emphasizes the need for implementation or performance.

it calls for immediate action

Signals that something needs to be handled without any delay.

it is time to act on

Suggests the right moment to start working on something.

it warrants immediate attention

Indicates something deserves focused and timely consideration.

FAQs

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

You can use "it needs doing" to express that a task or action requires completion. For example, "The car is dirty; "it needs washing"" or "The project is behind schedule; "it needs finishing"".

What are some alternatives to "it needs doing"?

Some alternatives include "it needs to be done", "it requires attention", or "it demands action", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Which is more common, "it needs doing" or "it needs to be done"?

Both "it needs doing" and "it needs to be done" are grammatically correct and commonly used. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific context, although "it needs to be done" might be considered slightly more formal.

Is "it needs doing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it needs doing" is grammatically correct in English. It uses a gerund ("doing") after "needs" to indicate an action that requires completion. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.