needs to be returned to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needs to be returned to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something must be sent back to a specific place or person. Example: "The library book needs to be returned to the front desk by Friday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Control of data needs to be returned to the patient.

The Guardian

"That needs to be returned to the horses," she said.

The Washington Post

No matter whose body it is, it needs to be returned to the families, right?

The New York Times

"It needs to be returned to him or purchased from him in some fair way".

The New York Times

Mr. Akin, said Mr. Mathes, believed that "America needs to be returned to its roots, its Judeo-Christian roots".

The New York Times

"We have told Congress that changes need to be made and some discretion needs to be returned to our immigration judges.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

And I agree, funding does need to be returned to schools at all levels.

University of California, Berkeley

Paper tickets need to be returned to the Midway refund department.

The New York Times - Travel

Completed forms need to be returned to the OMO Manager, Technical Services no later than one week before sailing.

Columbia University

It involved "looking after all clothing samples that come in and then need to be returned to various PR agencies".

The Guardian

The speakers get about 10 hours of playtime between charges and just need to be returned to the dock with the iPod to recharge.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "needs to be returned to", ensure the subject requiring return and the recipient are clearly identified to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "needs to return" instead of "needs to be returned" as the latter ensures the passive voice is correctly conveying that the subject is acted upon, rather than performing the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs to be returned to" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating obligation or necessity. It is used to express that an action (returning) is required to be performed on a subject, as seen in Ludwig AI's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

28%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "needs to be returned to" is a versatile modal verb phrase widely used to indicate the necessity of returning something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly employed across diverse contexts such as news, academic writing, and general communication. While "needs to be returned to" conveys a strong sense of obligation, alternative phrases like "must be sent back to" and "should be restored to" offer nuanced variations. When using this phrase, clarity regarding the subject and recipient is crucial. The frequency analysis reveals its prevalent use in "News & Media", "Wiki" and "Academia", further attesting to its broad applicability and relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must be sent back to

Emphasizes obligation or requirement of sending something back.

should be restored to

Focuses on the idea of bringing something back to its original condition or place.

has to be given back to

Highlights the action of handing something back to someone.

is required to be sent back to

Formal and emphasizes the mandatory aspect of returning something.

is essential to restore to

Stresses the importance of the act of restoring.

must revert to

Indicates a necessary change back to a previous state or condition.

is imperative to reinstate to

Highlights the urgency and importance of putting something back in place.

should be handed over to

Focuses on the physical act of transferring something back.

is crucial to remit to

Emphasizes the critical need to send or transmit something back.

ought to be given back to

Suggests a moral or ethical obligation to return something.

FAQs

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

You can use "needs to be returned to" to indicate that something must be sent back to a specific place or person. For example, "The borrowed book needs to be returned to the library."

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

Alternatives include "must be sent back to", "should be restored to", or "has to be given back to", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "needs to be returned to" and "should be returned to"?

"Needs to be returned to" implies a stronger necessity, while "should be returned to" suggests a recommendation or obligation that is less urgent. Consider the context to choose the most appropriate phrase.

Which is correct: "the item needs returned" or "the item needs to be returned"?

The correct phrase is "the item needs to be returned". The phrase "needs returned" is grammatically incorrect as it omits the auxiliary verb "to be" and the passive voice construction.