needs to be sorted out

USAGE SUMMARY

"needs to be sorted out" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when explaining that a problem or situation requires attention in order to be addressed. For example, "Our accounts need to be sorted out before the end of the month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

"It still needs to be sorted out".

The New York Times - Magazine

"It's like a big bowl of spaghetti, and it needs to be sorted out".

The New York Times

That's a conundrum for public policy which needs to be sorted out".

The Guardian

The company denies this interpretation of its action, which it called a "customer satisfaction issue," and this ambiguity still needs to be sorted out by the Transportation Department.

The New York Times

Bazalgette admitted that people's access to the technology – or lack of it – was a "serious issue and needs to be sorted out".

The Guardian

"What needs to be sorted out quite rapidly is who answers to whom in terms of the way the RFU is structured," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

All that will need to be sorted out in the negotiations ahead.

The Guardian - Business

The legal issues will need to be sorted out by prosecutors and the courts.

The New York Times

As for the presidency of the ECB, this too will also need to be sorted out quite soon.

The Economist

"The challenge for us is to work out the people who are really sick and need to be sorted out quickly," he says.

Independent

There are problems... that need to be sorted out, but I think the answer is not to lock the door and throw the key away".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "needs to be sorted out" when you want to express that a situation or problem requires immediate attention and resolution. For example, "The financial accounts need to be sorted out before the audit."

Common error

While "needs to be sorted out" is acceptable, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider rephrasing to active voice when appropriate: instead of "The problem needs to be sorted out", try "We must sort out the problem."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs to be sorted out" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing necessity. It indicates that a situation requires resolution or clarification. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is commonly used and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

5%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "needs to be sorted out" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey that a problem or situation requires attention and resolution. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used and understood. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports to everyday conversations. While effective, writers should be mindful of passive voice and consider using active constructions for more direct communication. Alternatives like "must be resolved" or ""requires clarification"" can offer nuanced expressions depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

needs to be clarified

Focuses explicitly on making something clearer and easier to understand; very similar in meaning.

must be resolved

Directly states the obligation to find a solution; slightly more formal.

requires clarification

Emphasizes the need for making something clearer or more understandable; more formal.

should be addressed

Indicates the necessity to deal with a particular issue or problem; polite and professional.

demands resolution

Highlights the urgency and importance of finding a solution; stronger and more formal.

has to be straightened out

Suggests correcting something that is currently wrong or confused; more informal.

calls for attention

Emphasizes that something needs to be looked at and dealt with; less direct.

is in need of organization

Focuses on the lack of structure and the need to arrange things systematically; applicable in specific contexts.

warrants investigation

Implies a need to examine something closely to understand it better; formal.

is begging for order

Highlights a chaotic situation needing arrangement; more figurative.

FAQs

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

You can use "needs to be sorted out" to indicate that a problem or issue requires resolution. For instance, "This matter "should be addressed" immediately" or "The scheduling conflict "requires clarification"."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "needs to be sorted out"?

Similar phrases include "must be resolved", ""requires clarification"", or ""should be addressed"", depending on the context.

Is it better to use an active or passive construction with "needs to be sorted out"?

While "needs to be sorted out" (passive) is acceptable, using an active construction can sometimes make your writing more direct. For example, instead of "The issue needs to be sorted out", consider "We need to sort out the issue".

In what situations is "needs to be sorted out" most appropriate?

The phrase "needs to be sorted out" is appropriate in situations where a problem, issue, or task requires attention and resolution, whether it's a scheduling conflict, a financial discrepancy, or a logistical challenge. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.