it needs to be better

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it needs to be better" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something requires improvement or enhancement. Example: "The report is informative, but it needs to be better in terms of clarity and organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

It's either great or it needs to be better".

The New York Times

It needs to be better resourced and better structured.

The Guardian

It needs to be better, but it is bloody brilliant".

The New Yorker

Or, in straight English, it needs to be better.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It needs to be better equipped, but above all, it needs more deployable manpower.

The Economist

"I think the case for it needs to be better understood by the public at large.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

And it needed to be better.

The New Yorker

But he said core investment for Headspace was falling and it needed to be better linked to high schools and more expertise to treat more complex cases.

The Guardian

Foreign investment was still critical, especially for delivering new technologies and skills, but it needed to be better managed, he said.

The Guardian

It needed to be better or cheaper.

Forbes

"At the halfway point we had to have a serious change and we all put our hands up and admitted it needed to be better.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "it needs to be better" with a more specific phrase that highlights the exact aspect requiring improvement (e.g., "the design needs to be more user-friendly" rather than "it needs to be better").

Common error

Avoid using "it needs to be better" repeatedly in a text without specifying what "it" refers to each time. This can confuse the reader and weaken your argument. Instead, vary your language and be specific about the subject you're critiquing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it needs to be better" functions as a commentary or evaluation, expressing a need for improvement. As Ludwig confirms, it is a usable phrase in English. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts, from product reviews to performance assessments.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it needs to be better" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey that something requires enhancement or improvement. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. Primarily found in News & Media contexts, the phrase serves as a direct commentary on the state of affairs, advocating for change or higher standards. While generally neutral in tone, it leans toward informality due to its straightforward nature. For formal writing, more specific and sophisticated alternatives like "it requires improvement" or "it warrants enhancement" may be more appropriate. When using the phrase, be sure to clearly identify what "it" refers to and avoid overuse without specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it requires improvement

Focuses on the necessity of enhancing something.

it must be improved

Emphasizes the urgency of making something better.

it could be improved

Suggests potential for enhancement.

it should be enhanced

Highlights the desirability of making something better.

it's not good enough yet

Directly states that something needs to reach a higher standard.

it has room for improvement

Indicates potential for positive change.

it warrants improvement

Suggests that something justifies being made better.

it falls short of expectations

Indicates a failure to meet desired standards.

it needs further development

Suggests the necessity of additional work or refinement.

it could use some work

Informally suggests that something needs additional effort.

FAQs

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

Use "it needs to be better" when you want to express that something requires improvement. For example, "The presentation was informative, but "it needs to be better" organized."

What are some alternatives to "it needs to be better"?

You can use alternatives such as "it requires improvement", "it could be improved", or "it should be enhanced" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "it needs to be better" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "it needs to be better" is relatively informal. In formal writing, consider using more precise and sophisticated alternatives like "it warrants improvement" or "it requires further development".

What does "it needs to be better" imply about the current state of something?

The phrase "it needs to be better" implies that the current state of something is not satisfactory and requires improvement to meet a desired standard or expectation.