needs to be emptied

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needs to be emptied" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a container or space that requires removal of its contents. Example: "The trash can needs to be emptied before the end of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Every clothes closet and drawer needs to be emptied, the items washed or dry-cleaned.

The New York Times

Templeton likens my anger to a glass of water, which keeps spilling over the top but needs to be emptied from below.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"With today's technology we can use sensors to discover that the trash needs to be emptied somewhere and we can find a vehicle to do that.

BBC

The boat requires a new coat of paint with the rust scraped off every few years, the septic tank needs to be emptied regularly and there are mooring restrictions that dictate where he can keep the vessel.

BBC

In the kitchen the sink is filled with dishes, and a cat's litter box needs to be emptied and replenished.

Vice

Why can't HE see that the kids need to be fed or that the floor needs to be vacuumed or the dishwasher needs to be emptied?

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

They will fill quickly and need to be emptied frequently.

Cornell University

The arena still needed to be emptied and refilled, and Murray and Llodra still needed to warm up after a three-hour wait.

The New York Times - Sports

The leaking tank had just been installed to store toxic water from an underground storage pond that needed to be emptied after it, too, sprang a leak.

The New York Times

The ultimate aim is to invent a toilet technology that doesn't require sewers or water for flushing, and doesn't need to be emptied of raw waste.

The Guardian

Drayson sees the technology powering smoke alarms, simple cameras, and even smart bins that know when they need to be emptied.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "needs to be emptied", ensure the subject requiring emptying is clearly defined in the sentence to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The recycling bin needs to be emptied" is clearer than "It needs to be emptied."

Common error

Avoid using "needs to be emptied" excessively in lengthy or complicated sentences. Break down the sentence or rephrase to improve clarity and readability. For instance, instead of saying "The container, which has been sitting there for weeks, needs to be emptied soon before it starts to smell", try "The container needs to be emptied soon. It has been sitting there for weeks and is starting to smell."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs to be emptied" functions as a passive construction indicating a requirement. It specifies that the subject requires an action to be performed on it, namely the removal of its contents. Ludwig confirms the usability of the phrase in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "needs to be emptied" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to indicate the necessity of removing contents from something. As Ludwig confirms, its function is to convey a requirement and is commonly found in neutral and informative contexts across News & Media and Wiki sources. When using the phrase, ensure the subject requiring emptying is clear, and avoid overuse in complex sentences for better readability. Alternatives include "requires emptying" and "must be emptied", depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requires emptying

Replaces the verb "needs" with "requires", indicating a necessity.

must be emptied

Substitutes "needs" with "must", conveying a stronger sense of obligation.

has to be emptied

Replaces "needs" with "has to", offering a more informal tone.

is required to be emptied

Expands the phrase to emphasize the requirement in a more formal way.

should be emptied

Uses "should" instead of "needs", suggesting a recommendation rather than a strict requirement.

demands to be emptied

Uses "demands" to express an urgent need for emptying.

is due for emptying

Indicates that the emptying is scheduled or overdue.

calls for emptying

Implies a strong necessity or reason for emptying.

is set to be emptied

Indicates a future plan or arrangement for emptying.

is waiting to be emptied

Suggests that the object is ready and prepared for emptying.

FAQs

What does "needs to be emptied" mean?

The phrase "needs to be emptied" means that something is full or contains contents that must be removed. It implies a requirement for clearing out a container, space, or receptacle.

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

You can use "needs to be emptied" to describe various situations where something requires clearing. For example, "The trash can "needs to be emptied"", "The swimming pool "needs to be emptied" for cleaning", or "Her mind "needs to be emptied" of negative thoughts".

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

Alternatives include "requires emptying", "must be emptied", or "should be emptied". The best choice depends on the context and the degree of necessity you want to convey.

Is it better to say "needs to be emptied" or "needs emptying"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "needs to be emptied" is more common and generally preferred in formal writing. "Needs emptying" is more concise but can sound slightly less formal. For instance, "The tank "needs to be emptied"" is more typical than "The tank needs emptying".