it needs to be wiped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it needs to be wiped" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the necessity of cleaning or removing something from a surface or device. Example: "After the spill, it needs to be wiped to prevent any damage."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

That way, you can clean under it and, if it needs to be wiped down (very likely), you can wipe it outside of the microwave.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

To find its share of cuts, about 20% of its budget needs to be wiped out over the next four years – that's around £2.6bn billion in total.

The Guardian

It apparently even catches on fire requiring the user to put it out with their hands, leaving soot behind that needs to be wiped off.

TechCrunch

"What we are trying to do is come out of the old … This is a culture that needs to be wiped out, and in this village, it's changing fast".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

America's nuns are fading away, but it's not because God or man has decided they've done anything wrong or that their lifestyle needs to be wiped out.

Vice

That self-satisfied look on the face of British politics needs to be wiped off.

The Guardian - Opinion

The mirrored front looks great but needs to be wiped down more often than others we tried.

Independent

'It's a shit-hole, basically,' says Paul Mannion, one of Sophie's friends and a fellow goth; '...one of those places that needs to be wiped off the face of the earth.

The Guardian

Israel's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday asked the United Nations Security Council to condemn a string of recent remarks by Iranian officials, including Mr. Ahmadinejad, who, according to Israel, had said the country "needs to be wiped off the forehead of humanity".

The New York Times

Union busting needs to be wiped out or the labor movement will be wiped out.

Huffington Post

Let's hope not, because neither studio really needs to be wiping scraps of spandex off the walls for the next decade or so.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it needs to be wiped", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to. Ambiguity can confuse the reader. For example, specify 'the table needs to be wiped' instead of simply 'it needs to be wiped'.

Common error

Avoid consistently using passive constructions like "it needs to be wiped" when an active voice would be more direct and engaging. For instance, instead of 'the counter needs to be wiped', consider 'you should wipe the counter'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it needs to be wiped" functions as a statement of requirement. It expresses that a specific object or surface requires cleaning. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct and perfectly usable. It is mostly about necessity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it needs to be wiped" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate the necessity of cleaning a surface or object. As Ludwig AI points out, the expression is clear and functional. It appears frequently in news, wiki, and scientific contexts, with a neutral register suitable for everyday communication. While perfectly acceptable, being mindful of the passive voice and considering more direct alternatives can improve writing clarity. When it comes to style, avoid overuse and prefer it requires cleaning in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it requires cleaning

Emphasizes the requirement for cleaning without specifying the method.

it should be cleaned

Suggests a recommendation or advisability of cleaning.

it must be cleaned

Indicates a stronger obligation or necessity for cleaning.

it requires removal

Focuses on the act of taking something away entirely.

it should be erased

Implies removing something, often data or markings.

it must be eliminated

Highlights the need to completely get rid of something, often a problem or error.

it needs to be cleared

Suggests removing obstructions or unwanted elements.

it requires sanitizing

Focuses on the need to make something hygienic.

it needs disinfecting

Highlights the necessity of removing pathogens.

it should be purged

Implies a thorough and often forceful removal.

FAQs

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

You can use "it needs to be wiped" to indicate that something requires cleaning or having a surface cleared. For example, "After the spill, "it needs to be wiped" to prevent staining".

What's a more formal way to say "it needs to be wiped"?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "it requires cleaning" or "it should be cleaned". These options sound more professional and less casual.

Is "it needs to be wiped" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it needs to be wiped" is grammatically correct. It uses the passive voice to emphasize the object requiring the action rather than the actor performing the action.

What's the difference between "it needs to be wiped" and "it needs wiping"?

"It needs to be wiped" is in the passive voice, focusing on the object being cleaned. "It needs wiping" is in the active voice using a gerund, and implies that the object requires the action of wiping. Both are correct, but the passive voice is more common.