needs editing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needs editing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a piece of text requires revisions or improvements for clarity, grammar, or style. Example: "This document is well-researched, but it needs editing before submission to ensure it meets the publication standards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

The playbook needs editing.

The New York Times - Sports

It needs editing.

The New York Times - Arts

"America needs editing".

The New Yorker

Editors rejected his work repeatedly, Barker writes in the book, saying that it "needs editing".

The New Yorker

The play's main weakness, though, is that its big, sprawling, idea-rich script needs editing.

The New York Times

"A Different Brand of Chaos" — which is in fact remarkable for its rigor of timing and physical synchronization — needs editing.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

It was full of good ideas but needed editing.

The Guardian - Opinion

But "Hidden Arena," set to music by Photek, Pan Sonic and Banda Filarmonica Andajina, needed editing.

The New York Times - Arts

I keep hearing people say that they thought "2666" was too long, that it needed editing.

The New Yorker

You understand I'm not saying, or even remotely thinking, that these new and year-old stories are beyond criticism, or that they won't need editing.

The New Yorker

A group of Swedes has grown tired of emailing documents around when they need editing help.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "needs editing", be specific about what aspects require attention, such as grammar, clarity, or style. This provides clearer direction for the editing process.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something "needs editing" without identifying the areas needing improvement. Instead, highlight specific issues like inconsistent tone or factual inaccuracies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs editing" functions as a verb phrase that indicates a requirement for revision or improvement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable construction in English. Examples from the data include its application to playbooks, scripts, papers, and even America itself, demonstrating its versatile use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

17%

Science

13%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "needs editing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something is not yet in its finalized or polished state and necessitates refinement. Ludwig AI confirms this, highlighting its versatility across diverse contexts. The expression appears commonly in news and media, wiki environments, and scientific literature, and it's essential to use it by being as specific as possible regarding the elements needing improvement. Alternatives include "requires revision" or "needs polishing", depending on the context. When aiming for clarity, be direct in identifying particular aspects of the content that require adjustments. "Needs editing" serves as a valuable tool for effective communication, especially when specific feedback is provided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requires revision

Emphasizes the necessity of reviewing and changing something.

needs revision

Directly states the requirement for changes.

is in need of revision

Adds emphasis to the need for changes.

requires refinement

Suggests that something is already good but could be improved further.

needs polishing

Implies that only minor improvements are necessary to make something excellent.

demands correction

Highlights the urgency and importance of fixing errors.

should be revised

Offers a softer suggestion that revision is a good idea.

could use some work

Indicates that the subject is not yet in its final form and requires further development.

warrants modification

Suggests that changes are justified and necessary.

requires a review

Highlights that the first step is reviewing the text.

FAQs

How can I use "needs editing" in a sentence?

You can use "needs editing" to indicate that a text requires revision, for example: "This report is informative but "needs editing" to improve its clarity."

What are some alternatives to saying "needs editing"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "requires revision", "needs polishing", or "could use some work" as alternatives to "needs editing".

Is it better to say "needs editing" or "requires editing"?

"Needs editing" and "requires editing" are largely interchangeable. "Needs editing" is slightly more informal, while "requires editing" sounds more formal.

What's the difference between "needs editing" and "needs proofreading"?

"Needs editing" implies a more comprehensive review for clarity, style, and structure, while "needs proofreading" specifically refers to checking for errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation.