needs to be wiped

USAGE SUMMARY

"needs to be wiped" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something requires cleaning or removing with a wiping motion. Example: The kitchen counter needs to be wiped clean after cooking dinner.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

That self-satisfied look on the face of British politics needs to be wiped off.

The Guardian - Opinion

The mirrored front looks great but needs to be wiped down more often than others we tried.

Independent

To find its share of cuts, about 20% of its budget needs to be wiped out over the next four years – that's around £2.6bn billion in total.

The Guardian

"What we are trying to do is come out of the old … This is a culture that needs to be wiped out, and in this village, it's changing fast".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

'It's a shit-hole, basically,' says Paul Mannion, one of Sophie's friends and a fellow goth; '...one of those places that needs to be wiped off the face of the earth.

The Guardian

Israel's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday asked the United Nations Security Council to condemn a string of recent remarks by Iranian officials, including Mr. Ahmadinejad, who, according to Israel, had said the country "needs to be wiped off the forehead of humanity".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Let's hope not, because neither studio really needs to be wiping scraps of spandex off the walls for the next decade or so.

The Guardian - Film

They just need to be wiped down.

The New York Times

Even cremini and shiitakes need to be wiped, stemmed and sliced or chopped.

The New York Times - Food

Hess's vision is both childish and childlike, yet from the mouths of babes oft comes wisdom — as well as things that need to be wiped up.

The New Yorker

Hess's vision is both childish and childlike, yet from the mouths of babes oft comes wisdom as well as things that need to be wiped up.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "needs to be wiped" in instructions, specify the cleaning agent or tool, such as "The surface needs to be wiped with a damp cloth."

Common error

Avoid using "needs to be wiped" metaphorically when a more precise verb would be clearer. Instead of "The old system needs to be wiped", consider "The old system needs to be replaced" or "overhauled."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs to be wiped" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a requirement or necessity for cleaning something by wiping. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples show both literal and more abstract usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "needs to be wiped" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies a requirement for cleaning via a wiping motion. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and commonly encountered. It's prevalent across diverse contexts, ranging from news articles to instructional guides, reflecting its adaptability. Remember to be precise in specifying tools or cleaning agents when providing instructions. While versatile, avoid overuse in metaphorical contexts where more specific verbs would enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

needs cleaning

A more concise way of expressing the need for cleaning.

requires being cleaned

Focuses on the necessity of cleaning something.

must be cleaned

Emphasizes obligation or requirement for cleaning.

should be cleared

Suggests advisability of clearing something.

is in need of a cleaning

A more formal way to say something needs cleaning.

requires removal

Highlights the necessity of removing something.

ought to be cleaned

Expresses a weaker obligation to clean.

must be eliminated

Emphasizes obligation to eliminate something.

demands immediate cleaning

Stresses the urgency of cleaning.

requires immediate attention

Focuses on needing attention instead of just cleaning.

FAQs

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

You can use "needs to be wiped" to describe something that requires cleaning with a wiping motion. For example, "The table /s/needs+to+be+wiped after the meal."

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

Alternatives include "requires cleaning", "must be cleaned", or "needs cleaning", depending on the context.

Is "needs to be wiped down" the same as "needs to be wiped"?

"Needs to be wiped down" implies a more thorough cleaning, while "needs to be wiped" can refer to a lighter cleaning. The best phrase to use depends on how much cleaning is necessary.

What's the difference between "needs to be cleaned" and "needs to be wiped"?

"Needs to be cleaned" is a more general term, while "needs to be wiped" specifies a method of cleaning. "Needs to be cleaned" can refer to washing, scrubbing, or any method, whereas "needs to be wiped" is specific to using a cloth or other material.