need to be printed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "need to be printed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something requires printing, such as documents or materials. Example: "The reports need to be printed before the meeting starts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

True, e-books do not need to be printed and shipped to retailers.

The Economist

Photos need to be printed on thin photo-quality paper and trimmed to the appropriate size.

The New York Times - Tech

Q3: Does my signature page need to be printed on some special paper?

University of California, Berkeley

As if that weren't difficult enough, each new material might need to be printed under different conditions.

The Washington Post

The money is moved around the country in secure vans under a little-known arrangement called the Notes Circulation Scheme, which informs the Bank if more notes need to be printed.

Independent

While the impact of the iPad may be greater than that of the book, the tablet can provide access to thousands of books, which will therefore not need to be printed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The trade press of the time wrote of Acrobat with much excitement, as it represented the ability to take a document as it would show up on a printed page if it even needed to be printed at all.

Vice

No, the DUA needs to be printed, signed, and then emailed to the YODA Project ([email protected]) once notification is received from the YODA Project that your Research Proposal was approved.

Yale University

Manuals needed to be printed for the specific configurations that customers had ordered.

Forbes

One of the crew had brought a USB stick on board with some paperwork that needed to be printed.

BBC

You can see the refund/deletion form here, which needs to be printed, filled out and mailed to the FAA for processing.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "need to be printed", ensure the context clearly indicates what specifically requires printing (e.g., "These documents need to be printed before the meeting.").

Common error

While grammatically correct, avoid overusing passive constructions like "need to be printed" if an active voice alternative is clearer and more concise (e.g., instead of "The report needs to be printed by John", prefer "John needs to print the report").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "need to be printed" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a requirement or necessity for something to undergo the printing process. Ludwig shows that this phrase is commonly used to express that a document, form, or other item requires physical reproduction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

26%

Wiki

21%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "need to be printed" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the requirement for something to be physically printed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used across various contexts, including news, science, and general instructions. While versatile, be mindful of clarity by specifying what exactly requires printing. Consider stronger alternatives like "must be printed" for emphasis, or more formal options such as "is required to be printed". Avoid overuse of passive voice by considering active alternatives where appropriate. Ultimately, "need to be printed" serves as a clear indicator that a physical copy is necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must be printed

Expresses a stronger sense of obligation or requirement compared to "need to be printed".

has to be printed

Similar to "must be printed", conveying a strong sense of necessity.

should be printed

Indicates a recommendation or suggestion rather than a strict necessity.

requires printing

Focuses on the action of printing being necessary.

is required to be printed

A more formal and emphatic way of saying printing is necessary.

demands printing

Highlights the urgency or importance of the printing action.

printing is necessary

Shifts the focus to the necessity of printing as a process.

printing is essential

Emphasizes the vital importance of printing.

call for printing

Suggests that printing is needed as a solution or action.

necessitates printing

A more formal synonym for requires printing.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "need to be printed" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "is required to be printed" or "necessitates printing". The specific choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

What's the difference between "must be printed" and "need to be printed"?

"Must be printed" implies a stronger obligation or requirement than "need to be printed". "Need to be printed" suggests a necessity, while "must be printed" indicates something is absolutely essential.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "need to be printed"?

While grammatically correct, ensure the context makes it clear what requires printing. Vague usage without specifying the subject might lead to confusion. For instance, instead of saying "It needs to be printed", specify "The document needs to be printed".

What are some situations where documents don't "need to be printed" anymore?

In many modern contexts, digital alternatives have reduced the necessity for printing. For instance, documents can be shared and signed electronically, bills can be paid online, and books can be read as e-books, meaning these items often don't "need to be printed".