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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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need to be edited

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

'need to be edited' is not correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase 'needs to be edited' instead. For example: This article needs to be edited before it can be published.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Except for ccmB, this correlation is consistent with the observation that taxa with higher RS tend to have suffered major changes in the number of edited sites and have fewer codons that need to be edited (Table 2).

Some of it is quite graphic and might need to be edited.

News & Media

The New York Times

Writers often describe eating and cooking in such vivid detail that the author's drool marks need to be edited out along with errant commas.

News & Media

The New Yorker

By Jenna Krajeski November 19, 2008 Writers often describe eating and cooking in such vivid detail that the author's drool marks need to be edited out along with errant commas.

News & Media

The New Yorker

The statements need to be edited, the meanings clarified, the complexities unraveled for the simple-of-understanding.... Keep a record of what your brother says, and I shall collect your reports from time to time, so that we can begin the work of ­interpretation".

Last, we determined that the current style of the rubric would need to be edited to include a place for users to make notes in order to provide additional feedback to the student, as necessary.

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Eventually, Ms. Palmer winnowed down her collection to "one plump portfolio, which still needs to be edited," she said.

News & Media

The New York Times

"Everyone at The New York Times thinks fundamentally that for this to be successful, the paper needs to be edited and curated for an international sensibility," Mr. Dunbar-Johnson said.

News & Media

The New York Times

"Of course it needs to be edited, and 'zipless' is ungrammatical, and the title makes it sound like nonfiction, but this is the book everyone needs to read".

"This cross-party committee found that for a 'Scottish Six' to work it needs to be edited and presented from Scotland.

News & Media

The Guardian

Mohamed should edit the detail on both projects in the Education section to half their present size... 10104; The sections containing skills are long-winded... 10105; and the detail needs to be edited by at least a quarter.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct form, "needs to be edited", to ensure grammatical accuracy in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "need to be edited" as it reflects a subject-verb agreement error. Ensure the verb agrees with the subject; use "needs to be edited" for singular subjects.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

79%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "need to be edited" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that something requires modification or correction. Although the correct form is "needs to be edited", this version still conveys the intended meaning, as demonstrated by its presence in various sources, as per Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "need to be edited" is commonly found in various contexts, Ludwig AI emphasizes that it's grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "needs to be edited", which adheres to standard subject-verb agreement rules. Although the meaning is generally understood, using the correct form enhances clarity and credibility, especially in formal and professional writing. Consider alternatives like "requires editing" or "should be revised" for clearer and more accurate communication.

FAQs

What is the correct form, "need to be edited" or "needs to be edited"?

The grammatically correct form is "needs to be edited", which follows standard subject-verb agreement rules. The phrase "need to be edited" is generally considered incorrect in formal writing.

When should I use "needs to be edited"?

Use "needs to be edited" when referring to a singular subject that requires editing. For example, "This document needs to be edited before submission."

What are some alternatives to saying "needs to be edited"?

Alternatives include "requires editing", "should be revised", or "could use some editing", depending on the context.

Why is "need to be edited" considered grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "need to be edited" doesn't follow standard subject-verb agreement. In English, a singular subject typically requires a singular verb form (i.e., "needs" instead of "need").

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: