needs to be signed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needs to be signed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a document or agreement requires a signature for validation or approval. Example: "This contract needs to be signed before the project can commence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

I could see no more signed FedEx "whack a mole" tracking down that package that needs to be signed for, but you work for a living and are rarely home.

Forbes

"Everything now needs to be signed, sealed and approved 18 times.

The Guardian

There's a huge opportunity there, we've developed an MoU that just needs to be signed".

The Guardian - Sport

The agreement needs to be signed by 55 countries responsible for 55% of global emissions to come into force.

The Guardian

The agreement still needs to be signed by city and labor officials before it can become effective.

The New York Times

And Andy Carroll will get injured at some stage so a 15-goals-a-season striker needs to be signed.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

But I believe that you still need to be signed in to see these.

The Guardian

They would then decide what deals needed to be signed to meet sales and profit goals.

The New York Times

You don't need to be signed up to see them.

The Guardian - Travel

It did not need to be signed off by the DoH.

The Guardian

Similarly, no non-disclosures were needed to be signed in the acquisition of any of our sample parts.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "needs to be signed", ensure the context clearly indicates who is responsible for signing and what the implications are if it is not signed. For instance, 'The contract needs to be signed by both parties before the end of the month to become effective'.

Common error

Avoid using "need to be signed" when referring to a singular subject. Instead of saying 'The documents need to be signed', use 'The document needs to be signed'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs to be signed" functions as a passive construction indicating a requirement or necessity for a signature on a document or agreement. It is used to express that an action (signing) is required for something to be valid or complete. Ludwig provides numerous examples that illustrate this function.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "needs to be signed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that indicates the necessity of a signature on a document or agreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts ranging from news articles and formal business communications to scientific papers and general instructions. The phrase functions to inform and emphasize the requirement for a signature, and while generally neutral, its formality can vary slightly depending on the specific context. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding who needs to sign and the consequences of not doing so. Consider alternatives like "requires a signature" or "must be signed" for nuanced emphasis. Source quality analysis reveals that the phrase appears frequently in authoritative news and business outlets.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requires a signature

Focuses specifically on the signature aspect, highlighting that a signature is a mandatory requirement.

must be signed

Emphasizes the necessity of signing, indicating it's an obligation.

is required to be signed

Adds formality and explicitly states the requirement.

has to be signed

Uses a more informal tone to indicate necessity.

demands a signature

Highlights the insistent nature of the requirement for a signature.

calls for a signature

Similar to 'demands', but slightly more formal.

is awaiting signature

Focuses on the state of pending authorization through a signature.

is pending signature

Synonymous with 'is awaiting signature', highlighting the pending action.

requires authorization

Broadens the scope to include any form of authorization, not just a signature.

is subject to signature

Highlights that something is not finalized and depends on a signature.

FAQs

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

You can use "needs to be signed" to indicate that a document or agreement requires a signature for validation or approval. For example, 'The agreement needs to be signed by all members'.

What are some alternatives to saying "needs to be signed"?

You can use alternatives like "requires a signature", "must be signed", or "is required to be signed depending on the context.

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

The correctness depends on the subject. "Needs to be signed" is used with singular subjects (e.g., 'The document needs to be signed'), while "need to be signed" is used with plural subjects (e.g., 'The documents need to be signed').

What's the difference between "needs to be signed" and "needs to be countersigned"?

"Needs to be signed" implies a general requirement for a signature, while "needs to be countersigned" implies that it requires an additional signature, typically from someone in a higher position or with verifying authority.