needs washing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needs washing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something, typically clothing or an object, requires cleaning. Example: "My car is covered in dirt and needs washing before the road trip."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"Don't wait until you can actually see that your bedding needs washing".

The New York Times

He added: "Every day she says there's a dead body at her house that needs washing.

The New York Times - Magazine

"A brain needs washing if there is a problem, just as clothes need washing if they're dirty, and a kidney needs washing if it's sick," he said, according to the local news media.

The New York Times

If a man holds up a mirror to your nature and shows you that it needs washing — not whitewashing — it is no use breaking the mirror".

The New Yorker

To avoid a sinkful of dishes, for example, she eats straight from the pan, which hardly needs washing "if you only eat savoury things out of it".

The Economist

Looking sometimes glowy and put together, and like her hair needs washing – fully human, in other words – she advises on topics such as getting better at maths, fighting negativity and the virtues of silence.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Needs washed.

Yale University

6) a.*The car needs washed, not necessarily by you, but by someone before the weekend.

Yale University

If "needs washed" sentences involved adjectival participles, we would expect that (12c) would be possible.

Yale University

13) a.*The new set still needs washed to kill germs.

Yale University

The unacceptability of (12c) therefore suggests that needs washed sentences involve verbal passive participles rather than adjectival passive participles.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the state of something needing washing, be specific about what requires cleaning. For instance, instead of "the room needs washing", say "the windows need washing" or "the floor needs washing".

Common error

While "needs washing" is perfectly acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Opt for more precise and formal alternatives like "requires cleaning" or "needs to be sanitized", depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs washing" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a requirement or necessity for cleaning. It combines a form of the verb "need" with the gerund "washing", specifying the action that is required. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Wiki

25%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "needs washing" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something requires cleaning. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s suitable for various contexts, though more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "requires cleaning". Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, "needs washing" efficiently conveys the necessity of cleaning an item, whether it’s clothes, a car, or even hair. While simple, this phrase effectively communicates a clear need for action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requires cleaning

Emphasizes the necessity of cleaning; a more formal alternative.

needs to be cleaned

A more explicit and slightly longer version of the original phrase.

should be washed

Expresses a recommendation or suggestion for washing.

must be laundered

Specifically refers to washing clothes or linens; slightly more formal.

is due for a wash

Indicates that washing has been delayed and is now necessary.

could use a wash

Informal way to express that something would benefit from being washed.

demands laundering

A stronger, more emphatic way of saying something needs washing, specifically for clothes.

warrants washing

Similar to 'requires washing' but more formal and less common.

is dirty and requires washing

Highlights the state of being dirty before requiring washing; more descriptive.

calls for a cleaning

More figurative, implying the need for a thorough cleaning.

FAQs

How can I use "needs washing" in a sentence?

You can use "needs washing" to indicate that something requires cleaning, like in the sentence "My car is covered in dirt and "needs washing" before the road trip".

What's a more formal alternative to "needs washing"?

For more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "requires cleaning" or "needs to be cleaned".

Is it correct to say "needs washed" instead of "needs washing"?

While "needs washed" is used in some dialects, the more standard and widely accepted form is ""needs washing"". Ludwig AI also confirms that "needs washing" is correct.

What objects or items typically "need washing"?

The phrase ""needs washing"" is commonly used for items like clothes, cars, windows, dishes, and anything that becomes dirty and requires cleaning. It can also refer to body parts such as hair, as exemplified by the statement: “It's not just the hair on your head that needs washing -- your pubic hair needs a little love and attention too”.