it needs to

USAGE SUMMARY

"it needs to" is a grammatically correct phrase in written English.
It is commonly used to express a requirement or necessity for something to be done. Example: "To ensure the success of our project, it needs to be completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It needs to stop.

The New York Times

"It needs to go.

The New York Times

It needs to retire.

The New York Times

It needs to.

Independent

"It needs to happen.

The New York Times

It needs to change.

The New York Times

It needs to be".

The New York Times - Science

It needs to try harder.

The New York Times

It needs to spend less.

The New Yorker

"It needs to be constructive.

The New York Times

It needs to be cleaned.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it needs to", ensure the subject 'it' is clearly defined in the preceding context to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "It needs to be fixed", say "The software bug needs to be fixed."

Common error

Avoid stringing together multiple clauses using "it needs to" in a single sentence. Break down complex ideas into simpler sentences for clarity. Instead of "The project is delayed, so it needs to be accelerated, and it needs to be monitored closely", try "The project is delayed. Therefore, acceleration and close monitoring are necessary."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it needs to" primarily functions as a modal construction indicating necessity or obligation. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to express what action is required or essential in a given context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it needs to" is a versatile and frequently used construction for expressing necessity or obligation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and the numerous examples showcase its prevalence in various contexts, including news, general discussions, and academic writing. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, clarity and context are crucial to avoid ambiguity. Remember to consider more formal alternatives like "it is essential to" or "it is required to" for more formal writing. This analysis emphasizes its broad utility while also providing nuances to ensure precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is essential to

Emphasizes the importance and indispensability of an action or condition.

it is required to

Highlights that an action or condition is mandatory or officially demanded.

it is imperative to

Stresses the urgency and critical nature of an action or condition.

it is vital to

Indicates the crucial importance of something for the success or survival of something else.

it is crucial to

Similar to 'vital', but may imply a turning point or a critical decision.

it has to

More informal and direct way of expressing obligation.

it must

Expresses a strong obligation or requirement.

it's necessary to

More explicit, states overtly that something is needed.

it would benefit from

Focuses on the positive outcome of the implied action.

it could use

Suggests that something would be improved by a particular action, in a less urgent way.

FAQs

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

Use "it needs to" to express that something is required or necessary. For example, "The car needs to be repaired" or "The report needs to be submitted by Friday."

What are some alternatives to saying "it needs to"?

You can use alternatives like "it is essential to", "it is required to", or "it must" depending on the context.

Is "it needs to" formal or informal?

"It needs to" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "it is imperative to" or "it is crucial to" may be preferred in highly formal writing.

What is the difference between "it needs to" and "it should"?

"It needs to" implies a stronger requirement or necessity than "it should". "It should" suggests a recommendation or suggestion, while "it needs to" indicates something is essential. For instance, "The plant needs to be watered" suggests it will die without water, whereas "The plant should be watered" implies it would simply benefit from watering.