that needs action

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that needs action" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that requires some kind of action to happen. For example: The government needs to take action on the law that needs action.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"Store paper that needs action, paper you will need for a limited period of time and paper you need to keep indefinitely," Ivey said.

Huffington Post

"Everyone is saying this is a really serious problem that needs action, and yet the action they're taking, even if successful, would only impact a small percentage of carbon dioxide emissions," he says.

Environmental Health Perspectives

These don't necessarily need to be suggestions of things for them to do if it isn't a problem that needs action ie: They're really upset because all their friends have boyfriends and they don't.

WikiHow

"The whole point of having this system is attention is drawn to somewhere that needs action," he added.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Especially for agent-based simulations on complex systems that need action selection related to cognitive aspects.

Brain Informatics

His commitment to the Rule of Law and experience with the ICC will give greater substance to words that need action to defend human rights.

Huffington Post

Although medical microbiologists were concerned about a possible outbreak as early as August, decision makers were reluctant to acknowledge a situation that needed action to be taken until January 2005.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

What both sides believe is that climate change needs action sooner rather than later.

The New York Times

He pressed that India needs actions not words from Pakistan.

The Guardian

This is a humanitarian crisis that needs urgent action.

The Guardian - Money

Corporate tax avoiders are a major problem that needs immediate action.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that needs action" when you want to emphasize that a situation or problem requires a response or intervention to be resolved effectively. Ensure the context clearly defines what action is necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "that needs action" excessively in passive constructions. Instead, focus on who or what should take action for clearer, more direct writing. For example, instead of "the problem is that action needs to be taken", specify who should act: "The council needs to address the issue" is more direct and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that needs action" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun or noun phrase by specifying a requirement for action. This highlights a situation, problem, or area requiring intervention, as supported by examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that needs action" is a grammatically sound relative clause used to emphasize the necessity of a response to a specific situation. While considered correct by Ludwig, it is more commonly found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. For more formal or technical writing, stronger alternatives might be preferred. To improve clarity, it's often better to specify the particular action needed rather than using the phrase in isolation. Remember to avoid overuse in passive voice for a more direct writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that requires action

Synonymous alternative, emphasizing the necessity of action.

that demands action

Emphasizes the urgency and importance of the action needed.

that calls for action

A slightly more formal alternative, indicating a clear need for intervention.

that warrants action

Suggests that the situation justifies a response.

that necessitates action

A formal alternative indicating that action is unavoidable.

that prompts action

Focuses on the cause-and-effect relationship, where the situation initiates action.

that compels action

Highlights the compelling nature of the need for action.

that begs for action

Emphasizes the obviousness of the need for action.

that is actionable

Focuses on the possibility of taking action; something can be done.

that is imperative to act on

Highlights that the action must be taken immediately

FAQs

How can I rephrase "that needs action" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "that requires action", "that necessitates action", or "that warrants action". These options emphasize the seriousness and importance of the required response.

What's the difference between "that needs action" and "that requires attention"?

"That needs action" implies a specific intervention or response to address a problem or situation, whereas "that requires attention" suggests a need for observation, monitoring, or consideration. Action is more proactive, while attention is more observational.

Can "that needs action" be used in all types of writing?

While "that needs action" is generally acceptable, it might be less suitable for highly formal or technical writing. In those contexts, stronger or more specific alternatives like "that demands action" or "that compels action" could be more appropriate.

Is it better to specify the action needed instead of just saying "that needs action"?

Yes, whenever possible, specifying the action needed provides clarity and strengthens your writing. Instead of saying "the situation is something that needs action", try "the situation requires immediate intervention" to be more direct and informative.