it needs updating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it needs updating" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something needs to be improved or brought up to date. For example: "The software is outdated, it needs updating."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It's not all black and white, in fact most of it is black and yellow, but it needs updating now.

The Guardian - Sport

That software periodically asks a server whether it needs updating — but hackers can easily get in the way of that request, pretend to be the server, and send malicious code to the phone.

Independent

The so-called ruralists in Congress say that the old code is holding back Brazil's agricultural potential and that it needs updating to allow more land to be opened up to production.

The New York Times

She doesn't give her books grand titles like 'Canadian Pastoral,' 'Canadian Psycho,' 'Purple Canada,' 'In Canada' or 'The Plot Against Canada.' ") The fourth reason on that list was her lack of a Nobel, so it needs updating.

The New York Times

Also both agents marketing the property suggest it needs updating, but would be great for buy-to-let, which suggests a would-be buyer might struggle to raise a mortgage on it.

The Guardian - Money

It was my first book for fiction writers, and it's still going strong almost forty years after I wrote it, but it needs updating and needs new material and, all in all, needs several weeks of concentrated effort.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

But although the house oozed charm, it needed updating.

The New York Times

It needed updating to keep pace with technology, and the technical fixes were included in a bill that Congress passed last summer.

The New York Times

The -v option causes each principal processed to be listed, with an indication as to whether it needed updating or not.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This book has had a huge influence in academia (it was one of the main inspirations for Jared Diamond's Pulitzer Prize-­winning Prize-­winningand Steel"), but Mann has lonGunslt it needed updatinGerms

The New York Times - Books

Two (Ethiopia and Senegal) of the countries that reported to have a HRP said that it needed updating.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it needs updating", specify what "it" refers to for clarity. For example, instead of just saying "it needs updating", say "the software needs updating" or "the policy needs updating".

Common error

Avoid using "it needs updating" repeatedly in close proximity without varying your sentence structure or providing sufficient context. This can make your writing sound monotonous and vague. Instead, try using synonyms and be specific about what aspects require updates.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it needs updating" functions as a declarative statement indicating a requirement for something to be brought up to date. As Ludwig AI states, it's used to express that something needs to be improved or modernized. Examples from Ludwig confirm this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Wiki

23%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it needs updating" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something requires revision or modernization. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts. While versatile, it's important to provide specific context to avoid vagueness. The phrase appears frequently in news, media and wiki sources. Related phrases include "it requires revision" and "it should be modernized". When using "it needs updating", ensure clarity by specifying what "it" refers to. Overuse of the phrase without variation can make your writing sound monotonous.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it requires revision

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the necessity of a thorough review and modification.

it should be modernized

This alternative focuses specifically on bringing something up to current standards or technology.

it calls for an update

This alternative is a more formal way of saying an update is required.

it demands a refresh

Similar to "it calls for an update" but conveys a sense of urgency and necessity.

it needs to be refreshed

This alternative suggests a lighter update, implying a need for revitalization rather than a complete overhaul.

it is due for an overhaul

Implies that something has been neglected and needs a comprehensive restoration or modification.

it must be amended

This alternative is typically used when referring to legal documents or formal agreements.

it warrants an upgrade

Suggests the subject is deserving or would greatly benefit from improvements.

it would benefit from a refresh

A polite way of suggesting that something could be improved with a light update.

it can be improved

A more general statement that something has the potential for enhancement.

FAQs

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

You can use "it needs updating" to indicate that something requires revision or modernization. For example: "The website is outdated, it needs updating." or "The regulations are old, it needs updating."

What are some alternatives to "it needs updating"?

You can use alternatives like "it requires revision", "it should be modernized", or "it needs to be refreshed" depending on the specific context.

Is "it needs updating" formal or informal?

"It needs updating" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal situations, more sophisticated alternatives like "it requires revision" might be preferred.

Which is correct, "it needs updating" or "it needs to be updated"?

Both "it needs updating" and "it needs to be updated" are grammatically correct. "It needs updating" is more concise and commonly used, while "it needs to be updated" is slightly more formal.