needs to be played

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needs to be played" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that requires performance or execution, such as a game, music, or a role in a play. Example: "This song is so beautiful; it really needs to be played at the concert."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

"How much more baseball needs to be played?

The New York Times - Sports

The game needs to be played for proper money, not for a few pence a point.

The Guardian - Opinion

Regardless, rugby league is not a game that needs to be played in good weather.

The Guardian - Sport

Doesn't need to be explained, it only needs to be played again.

The New York Times

So certainly, the piece needs to be played and needs to be heard.

The New York Times - Arts

The England manager, though, can understand why the competition needs to be played all across the vast football loving nation.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

"He's a great player but he needs to be playing regularly.

Independent

For that to happen, he needs to be playing at a club.

The Guardian - Sport

"On behalf of the American people, Congress needs to be playing a role".

The Guardian

"Wayne needs to be playing a lot of games to get his match fitness," the manager said at the time.

The Guardian - Sport

"But he needs to be playing regularly now.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "needs to be played", consider the context. For games or sports, it emphasizes participation or strategy; for music, it highlights the importance of performance or appreciation; for roles or characters, it suggests a specific interpretation or portrayal.

Common error

Avoid using "needs to be played" in highly formal writing where more precise or sophisticated language is expected. Opt for alternatives like "must be performed" or "requires execution" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs to be played" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an action (playing) is required or necessary for a particular subject. As Ludwig AI explains, it suggests something demands or requires performance or execution.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

13%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "needs to be played" is a versatile and grammatically correct passive construction used to express the necessity of performance or execution. As Ludwig AI confirms, its application spans various contexts, from music and games to roles and strategies. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to consider the context and choose more formal alternatives like "must be performed" or "requires execution" for highly formal writing. With frequent usage in news and media, "needs to be played" remains a common and reliable phrase for everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must be performed

Emphasizes obligation or requirement, differing in formality.

requires to be performed

Similar meaning but slightly more formal and emphasizes the requirement aspect.

is imperative to perform

Stresses the critical nature of the action.

should be executed

Focuses on the proper implementation or carrying out of a task.

warrants to be performed

Implies that the situation justifies the action.

demands to be executed

Highlights the urgency or insistence of the required action.

has to be done

A more direct and informal way to express necessity.

calls for performance

More figurative, suggesting an inherent need for something to be performed.

is essential to play

Focuses on the importance of playing.

begs for execution

Emphasizes a strong desire or need for the action to occur.

FAQs

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

You can use "needs to be played" to indicate that something requires performance or execution, such as "This song is so beautiful; it really "needs to be played" at the concert" or "The game "needs to be played" strategically to win".

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "must be performed", "should be executed", or "has to be done".

Is "needs to be played" formal or informal?

"Needs to be played" is generally considered neutral in tone. While it can be used in various contexts, more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "requires execution" or "must be performed".

When is it appropriate to use "needs to be played"?

It's appropriate to use "needs to be played" when you want to emphasize that something requires active participation, performance, or execution. This can apply to games, music, roles, or even strategies.