need some work

USAGE SUMMARY

"need some work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something that requires improvement or adjustment. For example: "This proposal needs some work before it is ready to be presented to the board."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Unfortunately, I need some work".

The New York Times - Sports

He'll need some work on that.

Independent

They'll need some work tomorrow.

The Guardian - Sport

Salads, though, need some work.

The New York Times - Food

However, your titles need some work.

The Guardian

Those table manners might need some work.

The New York Times

(My before and after parties need some work, though).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

COACH 11: He needs some work stickwise.

The New Yorker

Maybe that pitch needs some work.

Independent

Her eyebrows needed some work.

The New York Times

But first her legs needed some work.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context to adjust the tone; "need some work" can be softened with qualifiers like 'might' or 'could' for sensitive situations.

Common error

Avoid using "need some work" without specifying what exactly needs improvement. Vague statements can lead to confusion and hinder progress. Instead, identify the specific areas needing attention to ensure targeted and effective changes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "need some work" functions as a comment or assessment, typically used to express that something is not yet satisfactory and requires further attention and improvement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

15%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "need some work" is a common expression used to indicate that something requires improvement or further attention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as academic settings. While it is suitable for neutral registers, tailoring the tone based on the audience is advisable. Alternatives such as "require further refinement" or "could use improvement" can be employed to refine the message. When using "need some work", it's best practice to be specific about the areas needing improvement and avoid vague language to ensure clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could use improvement

Suggests that there is room for enhancement.

require some adjustment

States the need for alteration or modification.

require further refinement

Emphasizes the necessity of improvement and careful adjustment.

needs further development

Focuses on the aspect of growth and expansion.

needs fine-tuning

Suggests a need for precise adjustments.

require additional attention

Highlights the need for focus and care.

could be polished

Implies that the subject is already good but needs some refinement to reach its full potential.

demands more attention

Stresses the importance of focusing on improving specific details.

is not quite ready

Indicates incompleteness or lack of preparation.

is a work in progress

Highlights that it is still in the development stage.

FAQs

How can I use "need some work" in a sentence?

You can use "need some work" to indicate that something requires improvement or refinement. For example, "This report "needs some work" before it's presented to the board."

What are some alternative phrases for "need some work"?

Alternatives include phrases like "require further refinement", "could use improvement", or "needs further development" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "need some work"?

It's appropriate to use "need some work" when providing constructive feedback or assessing areas that can be improved. It's commonly used in professional, academic, and personal settings to indicate areas that "require additional attention".

What's the difference between "need some work" and "is perfect"?

While "need some work" implies that something is not yet finalized and requires improvement, "is perfect" indicates that something is flawless and doesn't require any further modifications. These two expressions are antonyms.