needs to be serviced

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence 'needs to be serviced' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to the maintenance or repair of something, such as a vehicle, machine, or appliance. For example: "This old car needs to be serviced as soon as possible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The fan clearly needs to be serviced to stop the vibration, but nothing gets done.

The New York Times

Q The steam heating system in my small co-op makes bone-rattling banging noises and badly needs to be serviced.

The New York Times

What should be done with the space now occupied by a dashboard, once a vehicle handles all driving tasks and even decides when it needs to be serviced?

The New York Times

There seems to be some consensus that the hardness of silicon makes it an ideal material for escapements, where it could reduce the number of times that a watch needs to be serviced.

The New York Times

Equipment that she put in place on previous trips needs to be serviced and repaired this year, and the stored data retrieved; by next year, the sensors could be so deeply covered in snow that the data, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in equipment, would be lost forever.

The New York Times

The system alerts staff when a patient leaves his or her exam room, eliminating the need for a practice manager to inform cleaning staff that a room needs to be serviced and preventing awkward interruptions of patients who are still dressing after an appointment.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Swimming pools need to be serviced to avoid algae problems.

The New York Times

These are machines that need to be serviced, sometimes every year".

The New York Times - Tech

BMW uses sensor-data to tell its customers when their cars need to be serviced, for example.

The Economist

There was a wide variety of borrowers out there, but they all, within reason, needed to be serviced.

The New Yorker

Microscopes are expensive (several hundred dollars for a reasonable one) and need to be serviced and maintained.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "needs to be serviced", clearly specify what requires servicing to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "The equipment needs to be serviced", specify "The air conditioning unit needs to be serviced".

Common error

While "needs to be serviced" is grammatically correct, overuse of the passive voice can make your writing sound weak or unclear. Consider rewriting the sentence in the active voice if appropriate: "Technicians must service the equipment regularly" is more direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs to be serviced" functions as a verb phrase in the passive voice, indicating that a subject requires maintenance or repair. Ludwig AI confirms that it's correct and can be used in written English. Examples show it applying to various objects, ranging from vehicles to equipment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

24%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "needs to be serviced" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive verb phrase indicating that something requires maintenance or repair. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for use in written English. It is versatile, fitting into various contexts, most frequently in news and media. To ensure clarity, specify what exactly requires the servicing. While the passive voice is acceptable, consider using the active voice for a more direct tone. Alternatives include "requires maintenance" or "is in need of repair". This phrase effectively communicates the necessity for upkeep to ensure proper functioning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

necessitates servicing

A more formal way to express the need for maintenance.

is in need of repair

Specifically points to a state of disrepair that requires fixing.

must be maintained

Emphasizes the obligation to keep something in good working order.

requires maintenance

Focuses on the ongoing care aspect, emphasizing the necessity of upkeep.

should be inspected

Suggests a proactive approach to identify potential issues.

calls for a tune-up

Refers to a specific type of maintenance to optimize performance.

warrants a checkup

Implies a routine or scheduled assessment to ensure proper functioning.

demands attention

Highlights the urgency and importance of addressing a problem.

is due for an overhaul

Indicates a comprehensive restoration or improvement is needed.

could use some work

A more informal way to express the need for repair or maintenance.

FAQs

How do I use "needs to be serviced" in a sentence?

Use "needs to be serviced" to indicate that something requires maintenance or repair. For example, "The car "needs to be serviced" before our road trip".

What's a more formal way to say "needs to be serviced"?

A more formal alternative is "necessitates servicing". For example, "This equipment "necessitates servicing" at regular intervals".

What can I say instead of "needs to be serviced" in a more casual context?

In a casual setting, you could say "could use some work" or "needs a checkup". For example, "This old bike "could use some work"".

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "needs to be serviced"?

While "needs to be serviced" (passive voice) is correct, using the active voice can sometimes make your writing more direct. For example, instead of "The engine "needs to be serviced"", you could say "A mechanic must service the engine".