needs to be consulted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'needs to be consulted' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to advice, information, or an opinion that has to be discussed before making a decision. For example: "This decision needs to be consulted with the rest of the team members before it is finalized."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The special session, he said, sent the mayor a message that "the City Council needs to be consulted".

The New York Times

The exemption is taken so seriously that the inspector general of intelligence and security needs to be consulted before the OAIC can make a decision.

The Guardian

He needs to be consulted and treated with respect, and his approval will be needed to prevent the possibility of a violent splinter group forming to oppose a peace agreement.

The New York Times

If the cost of external data is fixed at a certain amount, only the relevant column of this heatmap needs to be consulted.

EPJ Data Science

However, someone else needs to be consulted to receive objective advice about balancing work with other responsibilities such as family, volunteer, and outreach activities".

Science Magazine

A software concern may be related to several sources and they are important in the concern identification and classification activities, because they can help the software engineer to identify who or what needs to be consulted when a particular concern is not being correctly identified.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), the committees making local health plans, will still need to be consulted in this process, and the consultation has been extended to 40 days.

The Guardian

No one needed to be consulted or credited.

The New York Times - Arts

But union members would need to be consulted on all employee-related and operational matters.

The New York Times

Indigenous peoples need to be consulted about use of their land and included in development processes.

The Guardian

"If there's people in the government making decisions about our children, we need to be consulted; we need to be together".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider rephrasing with more active language if appropriate for your audience. Passive voice can sometimes obscure agency, so active constructions can be more direct and engaging.

Common error

Avoid using "needs to be consulted" without specifying who or what requires consultation. For example, instead of saying "The policy needs to be consulted", specify "The legal team needs to be consulted on the policy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs to be consulted" functions as a passive construction indicating a requirement for advice, information, or approval before proceeding with a decision or action. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "needs to be consulted" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to emphasize the importance of seeking input or advice before making a decision. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is indeed correct and usable. Its application spans diverse fields, including news, science, and formal business settings. While it generally carries a neutral to professional tone, it's essential to ensure the context clearly indicates who or what needs to be consulted to maintain clarity. Alternatives like "requires consultation" or "demands input" can be used to vary the language while retaining the core meaning. By following these guidelines, writers can effectively use "needs to be consulted" to convey the necessity of consultation in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Requires consultation

Emphasizes the requirement for consultation.

Demands input

Highlights the necessity of providing information.

Must seek advice

Focuses on actively seeking guidance.

Calls for discussion

Suggests a need for broader deliberation.

Warrants consideration

Implies a careful evaluation is necessary.

Should be referred to

Indicates a specific person or source to consult.

Requires to be advised

Highlights the necessity of getting advice.

It's crucial to get insight from

Emphasizes the importance of obtaining perspective from another source.

Input is necessary from

Highlights the necessity of getting input from a specific person.

Requires feedback from

Focuses on obtaining constructive feedback.

FAQs

How do you use "needs to be consulted" in a sentence?

You can use "needs to be consulted" to indicate that someone or something requires input or advice. For instance, "The stakeholders "need to be consulted" before making a final decision".

What's a more formal way to say "needs to be consulted"?

More formal alternatives include "requires consultation", "demands input", or "must seek advice". These options are suitable for professional or academic settings.

What can I say instead of "needs to be consulted" in a less formal context?

In less formal contexts, you could say "should be asked", "needs input from", or "it's crucial to get insight from" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "needs to be consulted"?

While "needs to be consulted" is in the passive voice, consider using the active voice if you want to emphasize who is doing the consulting. For example, instead of "the expert needs to be consulted", you could say "we need to consult the expert".