needs doing

USAGE SUMMARY

"needs doing" is a grammatically correct phrase in written English.
It is often used in a passive sense, especially when referring to a task or chore that needs to be performed. For example, "The housework needs doing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Much more needs doing.

The Economist

"Bridge work needs doing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It just needs doing.

The Guardian - Opinion

They were busy doing what needs doing.

The New York Times

"There's always something that needs doing.

The Economist

"It's not a lot that needs doing.

Independent

If something needs doing, you do it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

However, he admits that something needs doing.

The Guardian

That it needs doing should not be.

The Guardian - Opinion

And there's plenty of work that needs doing.

Independent

There will always be repair work that needs doing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "needs doing" to clearly indicate that a task requires attention or action, especially when the actor is not specified or is understood from context. For example, "The report needs doing before Friday."

Common error

While "needs doing" is grammatically correct, avoid overuse of passive constructions. Sometimes, specifying who should do the task (active voice) makes your writing clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The dishes need doing", consider "You need to do the dishes."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs doing" functions as a passive construction indicating that a task or action requires completion. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It's commonly used to express necessity without specifying who should perform the action. For example, "The report needs doing."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

14%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "needs doing" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate that a task requires attention or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's acceptable in various contexts, though primarily found in news, media, and general writing. While it effectively communicates necessity, writers should consider the active voice for clarity. Alternatives like "requires completion" offer a more formal tone when needed. Overall, mastering the use of "needs doing" involves balancing conciseness with clear and direct communication. It is important to also know that overusing passive constructions could result in less clear writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must be done

Directly states the obligation to perform the task.

requires attention

Focuses on the necessity for attention rather than action.

should be addressed

Highlights the need to deal with a particular issue or task.

demands action

Emphasizes the urgency and necessity of action.

calls for completion

Indicates that the task prompts or necessitates its completion.

warrants completion

Indicates that the task deserves to be finished.

is essential to complete

Highlights the fundamental necessity of finishing the task.

is pending action

Highlights that the task is currently awaiting action to be taken.

is imperative to do

Stresses the critical importance of performing the action.

is waiting to be done

Emphasizes the passivity of the task, awaiting action.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "needs doing" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "requires completion" or "demands attention". The choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality required.

What's the difference between "needs doing" and "needs to be done"?

While both phrases convey the same meaning, "needs to be done" is slightly more formal and explicit. "Needs doing" is more concise and often used in informal contexts, while "needs to be done" may be preferred in formal writing.

Is it correct to say "the house needs doing"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "needs doing" is often used in a passive sense, implying that some action is required. So saying "the house "needs cleaning"" is acceptable.

Can "needs doing" be used for abstract concepts, or only for physical tasks?

The phrase "needs doing" can be used for both abstract concepts and physical tasks. For example, "The research needs doing" (abstract) or "The dishes needs doing" (physical task).