needs to be taught

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needs to be taught" is grammatically correct and is commonly used in written English.
It can be used to express the need or requirement for someone to be educated or instructed in a particular subject or skill. Here is an example sentence using this phrase: "It is clear that the new employee needs to be taught the company's policies and procedures before they can effectively perform their job duties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It needs to be taught," says Schoenberg.

Princeton University

"The military needs to be taught a lesson.

The New York Times

Not everyone can do it; it needs to be taught.

The New York Times - Health

"But first he needs to be taught a lesson".

The Guardian

If that -- the guy needs to be taught a lesson.

The New York Times

"Gender needs to be taught about in schools, the earlier the better.

Independent

Creativity has a big economic impact and it needs to be taught.

The Guardian

"I think he needs to be taught a lesson," he says.

The New York Times - Arts

But Mr. Ahmed said that Microsoft needs to be taught a lesson.

The New York Times

Small business can be taught, and it needs to be taught".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Related: The Media Needs to Be Taught How to Report on Race, Says Ferguson Report.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "needs to be taught", ensure the subject requiring instruction is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "the student needs to be taught" rather than simply stating "it needs to be taught".

Common error

Avoid using "needs to be taught" without specifying who needs the teaching. For instance, instead of saying "respect needs to be taught", clarify with "children need to be taught respect" or "employees need to be taught respect in the workplace".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs to be taught" functions as a passive construction indicating a requirement for instruction. Ludwig shows its common use in expressing the necessity of educating someone on a particular topic or skill. The phrase combines an auxiliary verb, a modal verb, and a past participle to convey this meaning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

27%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "needs to be taught" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to emphasize the necessity of instruction or education. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness in various contexts, ranging from news articles to academic papers. Its function is to advocate for learning, address skill gaps, or highlight the importance of transmitting knowledge. While generally neutral in register, the specific context can influence its formality. To use "needs to be taught" effectively, ensure clarity and avoid overgeneralization by specifying who or what requires the instruction. Consider alternatives like "should be taught" or "requires instruction" to fine-tune the nuance of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be taught

Replaces "needs to be" with "should be", indicating a recommendation rather than a strict necessity.

must be taught

Substitutes "needs to be" with "must be", conveying a stronger sense of obligation or requirement.

requires instruction

Replaces the entire phrase with a noun-based equivalent, focusing on the necessity of instruction.

demands to be taught

Uses "demands" instead of "needs", adding a sense of urgency or insistence.

is essential to teach

Restructures the sentence to emphasize the importance of teaching something.

is imperative to teach

Similar to "is essential to teach" but uses the stronger word "imperative".

calls for education

Expresses the need for teaching in terms of a "call" for education.

warrants instruction

Indicates that something deserves or justifies being taught.

is important to impart

Uses "impart" as a synonym for teach, highlighting the transmission of knowledge.

necessitates learning

Shifts the focus to the learning aspect, implying that teaching is necessary for learning to occur.

FAQs

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

You can use "needs to be taught" to express that someone or something requires instruction. For example, "The new software system /s/needs+to+be+taught to all employees", or "This important lesson /s/needs+to+be+taught to future generations".

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

Alternatives include "should be taught", "must be taught", or "requires instruction" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "needs to be taught" or "needs teaching"?

Both phrases are grammatically acceptable, but "needs to be taught" is more formal and explicit. "Needs teaching" is a more concise and informal alternative. The choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

What's the difference between "needs to be taught" and "needs to learn"?

"Needs to be taught" focuses on the act of instruction, implying someone should provide the education. "Needs to learn" focuses on the recipient and their need to acquire knowledge or skills. For example, "The dog needs to be taught tricks" vs. "The child needs to learn how to read".