needs to be filled out

USAGE SUMMARY

"needs to be filled out" is correct and usable in written English.
You would typically use it when referring to a form or document that has yet to be completed. For example: "The registration form needs to be filled out before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

This form needs to be filled out and submitted to the Manager of ODS for processing.

Columbia University

Today, it's harder to play really slowly with most bass players, because they don't fill out that space that needs to be filled out if the drummer's going to play with brushes".

The New York Times - Arts

A form needs to be filled out and then the charity will be asked to agree for #Pay to access its Twitter account and send tweets on behalf of the charity.

The Guardian

Account Structure: Stanford's "Chart of Accounts" For all software project costs exceeding $1 million, the Software Costs – Capitalize vs. Expense Form needs to be filled out and submitted, along with the project charter, signed agreement and supporting documentation, to Business Affairs Finance and Facilities for Systems Governance Group (SGG) projects and Capital Accounting for non-SGG projects.

Stanford University

A Dissertation Advisory Committee DACC) Report needs to be filled out by members of the thesis committee after the meeting.

Duke University

A Thesis Defense Summary needs to be filled out by all committee members and returned to the DGSA.

Duke University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Forms still need to be filled out in a way that produces copies.

The Economist

Time codes for the captures need to be filled out on the form along with a short scene description.

Yale University

The presentation will review the current state of the art in models and modelling tools suitable for chemical product-process design and point out the gaps that need to be filled out with respect to model-based frameworks for chemical product-process design.

Computer Aided Chemical Engineering

As we saw above, for Wiggins the concept 'body' is always generic, never sufficient in its own right to sustain identification, needing to be filled out by appeal to a more determinate sortal, such as 'dog' or 'table'table

SEP

Just as Spanish-speaking immigrants in the U.S. often need a third party to help them understand the many documents that need to be filled out, it is wise for Americans looking to go south to take at least one Spanish language course before moving abroad, and to consult a third party in the U.S. who can help them navigate the paperwork.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to complete a form or section, use "needs to be filled out" to clearly convey the expectation of completion.

Common error

Be precise about what specifically "needs to be filled out". For instance, instead of saying "the application needs to be filled out", specify "all sections of the application need to be filled out completely and accurately".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs to be filled out" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something (typically a form, document, or section) requires completion. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Academia

20%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Science

17%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "needs to be filled out" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that something requires completion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used across diverse contexts, including academia, news, and business. While the register leans toward neutral to professional, its clear communicative purpose makes it a versatile phrase. When using "needs to be filled out", ensure clarity by specifying what exactly requires completion to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases like "requires completion" or "must be completed" can provide alternative phrasing while maintaining the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requires completion

Emphasizes the requirement of finishing something.

must be completed

Highlights the obligation to finish something.

should be filled in

Suggests a recommendation or expectation for completing information.

has to be completed

Indicates a necessity for finishing.

demands to be filled out

Adds a sense of urgency or importance to the completion.

necessitates completion

Formal alternative stressing the need for finishing something.

calls for completion

Implies a requirement based on a specific situation or need.

is required to be filled in

Formal and explicit statement of the completion requirement.

needs elaboration

Focuses on the need for further detail or explanation.

begs for more detail

Emphasizes a strong need for further information.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "needs to be filled out"?

You can use phrases like "requires completion", "must be completed", or "should be filled in" depending on the context.

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

The phrase "need to be filled out" is grammatically correct when referring to a plural subject, whereas "needs to be filled out" is correct for a singular subject. For example, "These forms need to be filled out", versus "This form needs to be filled out".

What is the difference between "fill out" and "fill in"?

Both "fill out" and "fill in" are phrasal verbs that mean to complete a form or document by providing the required information. The choice between them often depends on regional preference, with "fill out" being more common in American English and "fill in" more common in British English.

In what contexts is "needs to be filled out" most appropriate?

The phrase "needs to be filled out" is appropriate in a variety of contexts, including academic, professional, and general situations where a form or document requires completion. It's suitable for instructions, requirements, and informational content.