needs to be seen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needs to be seen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when emphasizing the importance of something that requires attention or visibility. Example: "This issue needs to be seen by the management team before any decisions are made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

— needs to be seen.

The New Yorker

"It needs to be seen here".

The New York Times

Detail, in fact, needs to be seen.

The New York Times

He needs to be seen to be in charge.

The Guardian - Sport

"It hardly needs to be seen as a substitute".

The New York Times

Dave needs to be seen tucking into chips and gravy.

The Guardian

"Land needs to be seen again as a public good.

The Guardian

They know why they're posing, what needs to be seen.

The New Yorker

"It needs to be seen to benefit the masses".

The New York Times

"This economic benefit needs to be seen in context.

The Guardian

"But the system needs to be seen to be fair.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "needs to be seen" to emphasize the importance of visibility or awareness of a particular issue, object, or concept. For example, "The full extent of the damage needs to be seen to be believed."

Common error

While "needs to be seen" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider rephrasing to use an active voice construction where appropriate. For example, instead of "The problem needs to be seen by the manager", try "The manager needs to see the problem."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs to be seen" functions primarily as a modal passive construction. It indicates that something requires attention or observation. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is usable in written English. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its application in emphasizing importance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "needs to be seen" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that emphasizes the importance of visibility or awareness. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It commonly appears in News & Media, Academia, and Scientific contexts. While versatile, careful use of the passive voice is advised. Alternatives include "must be viewed" or "should be observed", depending on the nuance you wish to convey. The phrase serves to highlight the necessity of observing, understanding, or acknowledging a particular subject, aiming to draw attention to its importance. The phrase's neutral register allows it to be suitable across diverse written and spoken contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must be viewed

Replaces "needs" with a stronger modal verb, emphasizing necessity.

should be observed

Substitutes "needs" with "should", indicating recommendation rather than strict necessity, and replaces "seen" with "observed", suggesting a more formal observation.

ought to be noticed

Uses "ought to" instead of "needs to", providing a slightly softer obligation, and replaces "seen" with "noticed", focusing on recognition.

requires viewing

Changes the structure to emphasize the act of viewing as a requirement.

demands attention

Shifts the focus to the requirement of attention, rather than just being visually perceived.

is essential to view

Emphasizes the essential nature of viewing something.

warrants observation

A more formal way of saying something deserves to be observed.

is important to look at

Simplifies the phrase to highlight the importance of visual inspection.

calls for inspection

Indicates a need for thorough examination, replacing "seen" with "inspection".

merits consideration

Shifts the focus from visual perception to thoughtful evaluation.

FAQs

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

Use "needs to be seen" to highlight that something requires attention or observation. For example, "This evidence "needs to be seen" by the jury to understand the full impact of the crime."

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

You can use phrases like "must be viewed", "should be observed", or "requires viewing" as alternatives depending on the context. For example, "This document "must be viewed" before the meeting."

Which is correct, "needs to be seen" or "need to be seen"?

"Needs to be seen" is the correct form when referring to a singular subject. "Need to be seen" would be used for plural subjects. For example, "The report needs to be seen" versus "The reports need to be seen".

What's the difference between "needs to be seen" and "deserves to be seen"?

"Needs to be seen" emphasizes a requirement for attention, while "deserves to be seen" implies that something is worthy of attention, possibly due to its quality or importance. For example, "This film "deserves to be seen" because of its powerful message".