need to be cut

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "need to be cut" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that requires trimming, removal, or reduction, such as text, materials, or expenses. Example: "The budget is too high, and some unnecessary expenses need to be cut to meet our financial goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Surely they need to be cut?

The Economist

Corporate and income taxes need to be cut, not raised.

The Economist

"The deficit will need to be cut, taxes increased and spending cut".

The New York Times

Timeouts and commercial breaks need to be cut back to restore the sport's natural flow.

The New York Times - Magazine

Spending will need to be cut, and taxes will need to rise.

The New York Times

Would no forests need to be cut down to create the pastures?

The New York Times

If the positions need to be cut, why wait three years?

The New York Times

Services have been cut and will need to be cut more.

The New York Times

The more we delay the cutbacks, the bigger the debts that will need to be cut.

The Guardian - Opinion

"If budgets do need to be cut, they are usually cut in the artistic area".

The New York Times

OPEC officials had trouble explaining precisely how much production would need to be cut.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "need to be cut" in a business context, be specific about what needs to be reduced (e.g., "Marketing expenses need to be cut by 15%") to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid embedding "need to be cut" within overly complex sentence structures. Clear, direct sentences improve readability. Instead of "The resources which we believe need to be cut should be identified", try "We should identify resources that need to be cut".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "need to be cut" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating that something requires an action (cutting) to be performed on it. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatical and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

38%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "need to be cut" is a grammatically correct and very common modal passive construction used to express the necessity of reducing, trimming, or removing something. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is acceptable in both formal and informal contexts. Predominantly found in news, media and wiki sources, the phrase serves to clearly communicate a requirement for action. When using "need to be cut", ensure clarity and specificity to avoid ambiguity, especially in professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must be trimmed

Indicates a strong requirement for trimming, similar to needing to be cut, often implying precision.

should be reduced

Suggests a recommendation to reduce something, carrying a slightly less forceful tone.

has to be shortened

Focuses on the action of making something shorter, specifically in length or duration.

requires pruning

Implies careful and selective removal, often in the context of plants or organizations.

demands downsizing

Emphasizes the necessity of reducing in size or scale, typically in a business context.

calls for curtailment

Indicates a formal appeal or requirement for reducing or limiting something.

warrants elimination

Suggests that something justifies being completely removed or discarded.

begs for truncation

Highlights the urgent need to shorten something, often referring to text or data.

necessitates severance

Emphasizes the need to cut off or separate something, often in a more formal or severe context.

entails decrement

Formally indicates that something involves a decrease or reduction as a consequence.

FAQs

How can I use "need to be cut" in a sentence?

Use "need to be cut" to indicate something requires reduction or trimming. For example, "The budget "need to be cut" to meet the new guidelines."

What are some alternatives to "need to be cut"?

Alternatives include "must be trimmed", "should be reduced", or "has to be shortened" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "need to be cut" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to express that something requires trimming, reduction, or removal. Use it in both formal and informal contexts where clarity is essential.

Is "needs to be cut" grammatically different from "need to be cut"?

"Needs to be cut" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "The branch needs to be cut"), while "need to be cut" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "The branches need to be cut").