needs to be painted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needs to be painted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something requires painting or is in need of a fresh coat of paint. Example: "The old fence in the backyard needs to be painted before the summer barbecue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It needs to be painted.

The New York Times

"There's always something that needs to be painted or that you haven't quite finished," she said.

The New York Times

Discussing her properties, Ms. Mead returns again and again to potential projects: Perhaps redoing the house at Akumal (Casa Pantera, it's called), and the Puerto Angel house needs to be painted.

The New York Times

The city council said to make it safe the clock housing needs to be painted with a fire resistant paint.

BBC

"Instead of saying, 'The car needs to be washed' or 'the house needs to be painted,' they say, 'The car needs washed' or 'the house needs painted.' This is actually a Scots-Irish construction we find all along the Appalachian Mountains".

Science Magazine

"The building really needs to be painted and fixed up, it does, that is not a lie.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Everything needed to be painted.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Paint the pictures that need to be painted for readers.

The New York Times

Truth and virtue, it was said, went naked: they did not need to be "painted with external adornments".

The Guardian - Books

Before swimmers arrive, one indoor pool and two others outdoors need to be painted and brought up to the proper temperature.

The New York Times

Because of its stabilizers, fiberglass doesn't need to be painted, he said, adding that his company has installed 13 miles of fiberglass cornice in the metropolitan area.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the condition of a building or object, use "needs to be painted" to clearly state that painting is a necessary action.

Common error

Ensure clarity by specifying what exactly "needs to be painted". Avoid vague statements; instead, state "the fence needs to be painted" rather than just "it needs to be painted" if the subject is unclear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs to be painted" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something requires the action of being painted. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. This is evident in the examples, where it describes the state of objects or structures that require painting for maintenance or aesthetic reasons.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

39%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "needs to be painted" is a grammatically correct and usable passive voice construction that indicates something requires painting. Ludwig AI validates this. While it appears in various contexts, it is more common in News & Media and Wiki sources. Alternative phrases include "requires painting" and "should be painted". When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what needs painting. Overall, it's a straightforward and widely understood way to express a requirement for painting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requires painting

Focuses on the action needed, emphasizing the necessity of applying paint.

is in need of painting

Formal way of stating that something requires painting.

painting is required

Formal phrasing highlighting the mandatory aspect of painting.

painting is necessary

Highlights the essential nature of painting for maintenance or aesthetics.

should be painted

Suggests painting as a recommended action, not necessarily an absolute requirement.

needs a fresh coat of paint

Emphasizes the renewal aspect of painting, implying existing paint is worn.

could use a paint job

Informal expression implying something would benefit from being painted.

demands painting

Stronger emphasis on the urgent need for painting.

wants painting

Personifies the object as desiring painting, adding a touch of whimsy.

cries out for paint

Figurative language vividly expressing the dire need for painting.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "needs to be painted"?

You can use alternatives like "requires painting", "should be painted", or "is in need of painting" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "needs painted" instead of "needs to be painted"?

While "needs painted" might be acceptable in some dialects, "needs to be painted" is the standard and more widely accepted grammatical form.

What is the difference between "needs to be painted" and "needs painting"?

"Needs to be painted" emphasizes the passive action required, while "needs painting" is a more concise form that implies the same meaning. Both are generally acceptable, but the former is often considered more formal.

Can "needs to be painted" be used for abstract concepts?

While typically used for physical objects, "needs to be painted" can be metaphorically extended to abstract concepts. For example, "the project needs to be painted in a more positive light" suggests a need for improved presentation or perception.