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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
need to be edited
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE 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
Alternative expressions(20)
requires editing
should be revised
needs revision
must be amended
would benefit from editing
calls for refinement
need to be inspired
need to be fixed
need to be decoded
need to be prodderated
need to be validated
need to be protected
need to be closed
need to be motivated
need to be reassured
need to be tightened
need to be prepared
need to be sparked
need to be respected
need to be liked
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
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).
Science
Some of it is quite graphic and might need to be edited.
News & Media
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
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 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".
News & Media
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.
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
"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
"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".
News & Media
"This cross-party committee found that for a 'Scottish Six' to work it needs to be edited and presented from Scotland.
News & Media
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.
News & Media
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.
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.
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.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
requires editing
Formal alternative that emphasizes the necessity of editing.
needs revision
Focuses on the aspect of reviewing and improving the content.
should be revised
Suggests a recommendation for improvement through editing.
demands correction
Highlights the presence of errors that must be fixed.
could use some editing
A more casual way of saying something could benefit from editing.
warrants modification
Formal alternative emphasizing the justification for changes.
is in need of editing
Emphasizes the current state of requiring editing.
must be amended
Highlights the necessity of making formal corrections.
would benefit from editing
Focuses on the positive outcome of editing.
calls for refinement
Suggests that the item needs more subtle improvements.
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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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
79%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested