that needs to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"that needs to be" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to introduce a necessary action. For example, "We need to restock the shelves, that needs to be done before the store opens tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

That's something that needs to be debated".

The New York Times

That's something that needs to be challenged".

The Guardian - Tech

It's something that needs to be investigated".

The New York Times

It's not something that needs to be discussed, just something that needed to be done.

The New York Times

Yes indeed; that is something that needs to be said.

The Guardian

That's something that needs to be very carefully discussed.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

"Something that needed to be guarded against".

The New York Times

Also, animals that needed to be fed.

The New Yorker

"Does that need to be studied?

The Washington Post

"There are things that need to be done and things that need to be done now".

BBC

These are stories that need to be told, stories that need to be read.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that needs to be", ensure the subject is clear to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid stringing multiple clauses together with "that needs to be". Break down lengthy sentences for better clarity and readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that needs to be" functions as a clause introducer, highlighting a necessary action or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid English construction, often used to emphasize the importance of addressing a specific issue.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

16%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

11%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that needs to be" is a versatile phrase used to express necessity or requirement across various contexts. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a grammatically correct and frequently used construction. It is commonly found in News & Media, Academia, and Wiki sources, with a neutral register that makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, clarity is key; make sure to specify exactly what "that" refers to and avoid overuse in overly complex sentences. While numerous alternatives exist, such as "that must be addressed" or "that is required", "that needs to be" remains a straightforward and effective way to indicate essential actions or considerations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is required

A straightforward way of saying something is necessary.

that must be addressed

A more formal way of saying something needs to be taken care of.

that is imperative

Emphasizes the urgent and crucial nature of something.

that is crucial

This emphasizes the importance and criticality of something.

that requires attention

This alternative emphasizes the need for focus or action due to importance.

that demands action

This alternative highlights the urgency and necessity for intervention.

that calls for resolution

This emphasizes the need to solve a problem or address an issue.

that warrants consideration

This suggests the need for careful thought and evaluation.

that should be rectified

This implies correcting something that is wrong or deficient.

that is essential to

Highlights the critical nature of something for a specific purpose.

FAQs

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

Use "that needs to be" to point out something requiring attention or action. For instance, "The report has several errors "that needs to be" corrected immediately".

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

You can use phrases like "that must be addressed", "that is required", or "that demands action" depending on the context.

Is "that needs to be" formal or informal?

"That needs to be" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, making it a versatile phrase. However, consider more formal alternatives like "that must be addressed" for highly formal writing.

How can I ensure clarity when using "that needs to be"?

To ensure clarity, always clearly state what "that" refers to. For example, instead of "That needs to be fixed", specify "The broken window "that needs to be" fixed".