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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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needs to be edited

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

'needs to be edited' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in a sentence when referring to something that requires edits or corrections, for example: This paper needs to be edited before it can be submitted.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Eventually, Ms. Palmer winnowed down her collection to "one plump portfolio, which still needs to be edited," she said.

News & Media

The New York Times

"Of course it needs to be edited, and 'zipless' is ungrammatical, and the title makes it sound like nonfiction, but this is the book everyone needs to read".

"This cross-party committee found that for a 'Scottish Six' to work it needs to be edited and presented from Scotland.

News & Media

The Guardian

"Everyone at The New York Times thinks fundamentally that for this to be successful, the paper needs to be edited and curated for an international sensibility," Mr. Dunbar-Johnson said.

News & Media

The New York Times

Mohamed should edit the detail on both projects in the Education section to half their present size... 10104; The sections containing skills are long-winded... 10105; and the detail needs to be edited by at least a quarter.

On the server side, the file '/etc/inetd.conf' needs to be edited so inetd knows to run the command cvs pserver when it receives a connection on the right port.

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Except for ccmB, this correlation is consistent with the observation that taxa with higher RS tend to have suffered major changes in the number of edited sites and have fewer codons that need to be edited (Table 2).

Some of it is quite graphic and might need to be edited.

News & Media

The New York Times

Writers often describe eating and cooking in such vivid detail that the author's drool marks need to be edited out along with errant commas.

News & Media

The New Yorker

By Jenna Krajeski November 19, 2008 Writers often describe eating and cooking in such vivid detail that the author's drool marks need to be edited out along with errant commas.

News & Media

The New Yorker

The statements need to be edited, the meanings clarified, the complexities unraveled for the simple-of-understanding.... Keep a record of what your brother says, and I shall collect your reports from time to time, so that we can begin the work of ­interpretation".

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "needs to be edited", specify which aspect requires attention (e.g., grammar, clarity, factual accuracy).

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice. While "needs to be edited" is grammatically correct, consider active alternatives for directness. Instead of "The report needs to be edited", try "The editor must revise the report".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs to be edited" functions as a passive construction indicating a requirement for revision or correction. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It identifies something that is lacking or incomplete and requires further attention to meet a certain standard.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Wiki

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "needs to be edited" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something requires revision or correction. According to Ludwig, it’s a correct and usable phrase in English. Its prevalence across news, scientific, and wiki sources demonstrates its versatility. While the phrase is generally acceptable, writers should be mindful of using active voice when possible for directness. Alternatives such as "requires editing" or "should be revised" can offer slight variations in tone and emphasis. By considering these nuances, you can effectively communicate the need for improvement in your writing and communication.

FAQs

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

You can use "needs to be edited" to indicate that a piece of writing, video, or other work requires revision or correction. For example, "This document "needs to be edited" for clarity before submission".

What are some alternatives to "needs to be edited"?

Alternatives include "requires editing", "should be revised", or "demands revision", depending on the context and the level of urgency.

Is it better to say "needs editing" or "needs to be edited"?

"Needs editing" is a more concise form, but ""needs to be edited"" provides a slightly more formal tone and explicitly uses the passive voice. Both are grammatically correct, so the choice depends on the desired style.

What does it mean when something "needs to be edited"?

It means that the subject in question requires changes, corrections, or improvements before it is considered complete or satisfactory. The edits might involve grammar, style, content, or formatting.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: