needed to be completed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needed to be completed" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "The final report needed to be completed by the end of the fiscal year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And it needed to be completed in a matter of weeks.

Harvard University

Evaluations needed to be completed, supplies have dwindled, creativity is shot, and the children are squirrelly.

University of California, Berkeley

He said more forensic tests needed to be completed and that some witnesses remained to be interviewed.

The New York Times

It needed to be completed before memories began to fade or to become confused by other accounts of the day.

The New York Times - Arts

Saturdays started at 7 a.m., with the list of housecleaning chores that needed to be completed by the afternoon.

The New York Times

Action: Concisely describe the actions you took and the tasks that needed to be completed to respond to the situation.

Columbia University

However, these people also warned that several details still needed to be completed and that it remained possible the agreement could collapse.

The New York Times

Then, as though it were any other task that needed to be completed during her few hours of solitude, she went into the bathroom.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"The law needs to be completed".

The New York Times

The single market needs to be completed.

The Guardian

His sentence did not need to be completed.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider active voice alternatives if you want to emphasize who is responsible for completing the action. For example, instead of "The report needed to be completed by John", write "John needed to complete the report."

Common error

Avoid using "needed to be completed" excessively, as it can make your writing sound indirect and less engaging. Vary your sentence structure with active voice where appropriate to maintain clarity and reader interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needed to be completed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a task or action required completion. This usage aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of its correctness, supported by numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "needed to be completed" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that emphasizes the necessity of finishing a task. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, from news and academic writing to scientific reports. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse and consider active voice alternatives for more direct and engaging writing. Its neutral register makes it a reliable choice for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

required completion

Focuses on the necessity of finishing a task, using a more concise noun phrase.

had to be finished

Emphasizes obligation and finality using a different verb tense and synonym.

demanded to be accomplished

Highlights urgency and achievement, using a stronger verb and different phrasing.

remained to be done

Shifts the perspective to what still needs attention, implying incompleteness.

were pending finalization

Focuses on the state of being close to completion, using a more formal term.

called for fulfillment

Emphasizes a need for action and satisfaction, using a more formal and emphatic tone.

were slated for conclusion

Highlights that the tasks are planned to be finished, using a more scheduled tone.

completion was imperative

Stresses the importance of completing something using a nominal structure.

tasks at hand required settlement

Focuses on resolving pending actions, implying closure.

required to be finalized

Highlights a formal need to conclude something.

FAQs

How can I use "needed to be completed" in a sentence?

Use "needed to be completed" to indicate that a task or action required finishing. For example, "All the paperwork "required to be filed" before the deadline."

What's a more direct alternative to "needed to be completed"?

Alternatives include phrases that put emphasis on the actor. For example, instead of "The tasks needed to be completed by the team", you can say "The team "had to complete the tasks"".

Is "needed to be completed" formal or informal?

"Needed to be completed" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but its formality often depends on the surrounding vocabulary and tone. In very informal settings, simpler phrasings like "had to finish" might be preferred.

When is it best to use the passive voice construction "needed to be completed"?

The passive voice is best when the action is more important than the actor or when the actor is unknown or unimportant. For instance, "The investigation "needed to be conducted" thoroughly, regardless of who was involved."