needs to be adjusted

USAGE SUMMARY

'needs to be adjusted' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that needs to be changed or modified in order to make it more suitable for its purpose. For example, "The website's designs needs to be adjusted in order to make it more user-friendly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What needs to be adjusted?

Harvard Business Review

The power dynamic between you urgently needs to be adjusted.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Everything needs to be adjusted to form a whole.

The New York Times - Arts

On that basis, the calculation needs to be adjusted.

Harvard Business Review

Unless, of course, her medication just needs to be adjusted.

The New York Times

If you find your microphone's volume needs to be adjusted, you can change those settings.

The New York Times - Tech

"It's a game plan we have not felt needs to be adjusted today," he added.

The New York Times

The bubble should remain centered; if not, the level needs to be adjusted or replaced.

The New York Times

Mr. Foster also looks to see whether payroll withholding needs to be adjusted.

The New York Times

I would argue that it needs to be adjusted for inflation.

The New Yorker

You'll know right away if the body needs to be adjusted left, right, forward, or backward.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "needs to be adjusted", ensure the context clearly indicates what requires adjustment and why. This enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "needs to be adjusted" without specifying what 'it' refers to. Always provide a clear subject that requires the adjustment to avoid confusing the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs to be adjusted" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something is required to undergo a change or modification. This is supported by Ludwig, which provides numerous examples across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "needs to be adjusted" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that something requires modification or alteration. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides numerous examples across diverse fields such as science, news, and business. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, clarity is key; specify what requires adjustment to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "requires modification" or "should be modified" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requires modification

Focuses on the necessity of changing something, similar to adjusting.

demands alteration

Highlights the need for a significant change or transformation.

must be revised

Emphasizes the need to review and correct something.

should be modified

Suggests a recommended change for improvement.

calls for refinement

Implies that something needs to be improved through small changes.

warrants a change

Indicates that a change is justified or necessary.

is due for an update

Suggests that something is outdated and needs to be brought up to date.

necessitates a correction

Focuses on rectifying an error or inaccuracy.

begs for improvement

Emphasizes a strong need for enhancement.

could use some tweaking

Suggests that minor adjustments would be beneficial.

FAQs

How can I use "needs to be adjusted" in a sentence?

Use "needs to be adjusted" to indicate something requires modification for improvement. For example, "The budget needs to be adjusted to reflect the new priorities."

What are some alternatives to saying "needs to be adjusted"?

You can use phrases like "requires modification", "should be modified", or "must be revised", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "need to be adjusted" instead of "needs to be adjusted"?

The correctness depends on the subject. Use "need to be adjusted" for plural subjects (e.g., "The settings need to be adjusted"). Use "needs to be adjusted" for singular subjects (e.g., "The setting needs to be adjusted").

What's the difference between "needs to be adjusted" and "needs adjustment"?

"Needs to be adjusted" implies a process that requires modification, while "needs adjustment" is a more concise way of saying the same thing. The phrase "needs adjustment" acts as a noun phrase and can be used when you prefer brevity.