needed to be removed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needed to be removed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something was necessary to take away or eliminate from a situation or context. Example: "The outdated information in the report needed to be removed to ensure accuracy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Regardless, these people said, Saddam Hussein needed to be removed.

The New York Times

His feeding tube needed to be removed from his stomach.

The New York Times

In any plan to destroy global terrorism, Saddam Hussein needed to be removed...

The New York Times

So it would've been silly to be fussing over characters when gigantic quantities of text needed to be removed altogether.

The New Yorker

Almost immediately his screen flashed up with "files with red crosses" which he was told needed to be removed.

The Guardian - Money

The governor said Dr. Cocking needed to be removed because he planned to create an integrated demonstration school.

The New York Times

This needed to be removed before a bicycle could be ridden.When owners returned, their behaviour was secretly observed.

The Economist

Corthine said he had told Cameron 3m tonnes of silt needed to be removed from the Parrett to get it flowing properly again.

The Guardian

The tumor, her doctors felt, was malignant (though it was probably an oligodendroglioma, of relatively low malignancy) and needed to be removed.

The New Yorker

The mother needed to be removed from the picture for a time in order for Jack to fully come to terms with the world outside of the room.

The New Yorker

During my break I discovered, along with a dodgy knee, another problem: I had a lump in my breast that needed to be removed.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "needed to be removed", ensure the subject requiring removal is clearly identified for clarity. For example, instead of "it needed to be removed", specify "the outdated software needed to be removed".

Common error

Avoid using "needed to be removed" excessively in your writing, as it can make your sentences sound weak and indirect. Consider using a more active voice construction where appropriate for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needed to be removed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that an action (removal) was required. Ludwig examples show it used across various contexts from political situations to medical procedures, and Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

40%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "needed to be removed" is a grammatically sound and very common passive voice construction used to express a requirement for elimination or removal. Ludwig AI analysis, backed by numerous examples across diverse sources, validates its correctness and wide applicability. While the phrase can be used in many contexts, it appears most frequently in news and media and scientific publications. When writing, ensure that the subject is clearly identified and avoid overusing this construction to maintain a strong and active voice. Consider alternatives like "had to be taken away" or "required removal" for variety and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

required removal

Replaces the passive voice with a noun phrase emphasizing the action of removal.

was necessary to eliminate

Replaces "needed" with "was necessary" and "removed" with "eliminate" for a slightly more formal tone.

it became necessary to remove

More direct than QUERY but has the same degree of formality.

had to be taken away

Uses a more informal phrasing with "taken away" instead of "removed".

removal was essential

Focuses on the essential nature of the removal as a statement of fact.

demanded extraction

Uses stronger vocabulary to convey the urgency or importance of the removal.

called for the elimination of

Expresses the necessity of removal as a demand or requirement.

it was imperative to remove

Highlights the urgency of the removal using "imperative".

the only option was to remove

Emphasizes that removal was the sole solution available.

removal became a necessity

Shifts the focus to the change in status, where removal was not always needed but became so.

FAQs

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

Use "needed to be removed" to indicate something required elimination. For example, "The broken equipment needed to be removed from the factory floor".

What are some alternatives to saying "needed to be removed"?

You can use alternatives like "had to be taken away", "was necessary to eliminate", or "required removal" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing something that "needed to be removed"?

While "needed to be removed" is grammatically correct in passive voice, using the active voice can sometimes make your writing more direct. For example, instead of "The error needed to be removed", you could say "Someone needed to remove the error".

What's the difference between "needed to be removed" and "needs to be removed"?

"Needed to be removed" indicates a past necessity, while "needs to be removed" indicates a present necessity. Use "needed" when referring to a past situation and "needs" when referring to a current situation.