still needs to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "still needs to be" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that something is required or necessary and has not yet been completed or addressed. Example: "The report still needs to be reviewed before submission." Alternative expressions include "still has to be" and "still requires."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it still needs to be struck.

The Economist

But much still needs to be done.

The Economist

That still needs to be resolved.

The Economist

"It still needs to be sorted out".

The New York Times - Magazine

Victoria still needs to be protected".

The Guardian

More still needs to be done.

The Guardian

The public still needs to be convinced.

The Guardian - Sport

The menu still needs to be finalized.

The New York Times - Food

"But there still needs to be consensus about the dose".

The New York Times

My short game's good but still needs to be better.

The New York Times - Sports

But a lot still needs to be done.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with strong past participles like 'finalized', 'elucidated' or 'proven' to maintain a professional tone.

Common error

Do not use "still needs to be" alongside other temporal markers that repeat the same idea, such as 'currently still needs to be'. Additionally, ensure the 'still' is placed before the verb 'needs' rather than after 'be' to avoid awkward syntax like 'needs to be still'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "still needs to be" functions as a complex verbal construction combining the temporal adverb 'still', the semi-modal verb 'needs', and a passive infinitive. According to Ludwig AI, this structure is used to indicate that a specific state or action remains necessary but unfulfilled. It effectively bridges the past (where the need began) and the present (where the need persists).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Fiction

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "still needs to be" is an essential phrase for any writer looking to describe ongoing requirements or unfinished business. Ludwig analysis shows that it is exceptionally common in both high-level journalism and scientific research. It acts as a polite yet clear way to signal that more work is required. Whether you are finalizing a menu, as seen in The New York Times, or investigating cell movements in BioMed Research International, this phrase provides the necessary temporal and modal clarity. It is grammatically robust and highly recommended for professional contexts where precision regarding the status of a task is paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remains to be

More formal and often used in academic contexts to describe an unresolved question.

is yet to be

Slightly more literary and places a stronger emphasis on the future completion of the action.

has yet to be

Uses the present perfect to indicate that the action has not occurred up to the present moment.

must still be

Increases the level of necessity or obligation compared to the original phrase.

still requires being

Changes the verb to 'require' which can sound more technical or administrative.

is still required to be

Uses the passive 'required' to denote external mandates or rules.

continues to need

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the requirement more explicitly.

remains in need of being

A more wordy and formal construction used for stylistic variety.

awaiting to be

Implies the subject is ready and simply waiting for the action to occur.

stays to be

An uncommon and less idiomatic variant that focuses on the state of remaining.

FAQs

How do I use "still needs to be" in a sentence?

You can use it to denote an unfinished task, such as: "The final chapter <a href="/s/still+needs+to+be" target="_blank" rel="alternative">still needs to be written before the deadline."

What is a more formal way to say "still needs to be"?

In formal or academic writing, you can use the phrase "<a href="/s/remains+to+be" target="_blank" rel="alternative">remains to be" to sound more authoritative.

Can I say "yet needs to be" instead?

While "<a href="/s/yet+needs+to+be" target="_blank" rel="alternative">yet needs to be" is grammatically possible, it is much less common than the standard version. "<a href="/s/has+yet+to+be" target="_blank" rel="alternative">has yet to be" is a better alternative.

Is "still needs to be" considered passive voice?

Yes, it uses the passive infinitive 'to be' + past participle. It is appropriate when the person performing the action is less important than the object being acted upon.