that needs to be changed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that needs to be changed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that requires modification or alteration. Example: "The policy has several sections that need to be changed to reflect the new regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is a system that needs to be changed.

The New York Times

It's an outdated system that needs to be changed".

The New York Times

This is the attitude that needs to be changed.

The Guardian

This is a common cultural view toward Smartphone and technology that needs to be changed.

Cornell University

If the counseling for infertile couples rarely addresses these issues, that needs to be changed.

The New York Times

Food was discussed as being one part of a broken system that needs to be changed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Such jammers are illegal, but if cellphone abuse continues, that could be the next law that needs to be changed.

The New York Times

Try to be concise - for example, for a button that needs to be changed, simply mentioning that "Button 'X' should be renamed 'Y'" is sufficient.

University of California, Berkeley

If we are aware of something that needs to be changed, we would do it wisely so that criminals don't have any advantages against us.

Harvard University

"You put the bucket list of everything that needs to be changed — you do all the things at once in a small place," Mr. Sánchez said.

The New York Times

The only thing that needs to be changed, he said, is the people running it and an accounting of where the money went.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "that needs to be changed" with more precise alternatives like "requires modification" or "warrants revision" for formal writing to enhance clarity and professionalism.

Common error

While "that needs to be changed" is perfectly acceptable, it can sound less formal. In academic or business writing, opt for phrases like "requires modification" or "warrants revision" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that needs to be changed" functions as a relative clause identifying something requiring alteration or modification. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

22%

Science

21%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that needs to be changed" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to indicate the necessity of alteration or modification. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is versatile and appears across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Academia. While generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives such as "requires modification" or "warrants revision" might be preferred in certain professional or academic settings. Therefore, while the phrase is widely accepted and understood, context awareness is crucial for optimizing its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that requires modification

Uses a more formal term, "modification", instead of "change".

that requires alteration

Similar to "modification", "alteration" emphasizes a slight difference in form or character.

that has to be altered

Replaces "needs to be" with "has to be", emphasizing obligation.

that should be modified

Uses "should" to suggest a recommendation rather than a necessity.

that warrants revision

Employs the more formal term "revision", implying a thorough review and correction.

that calls for adjustment

Uses the expression "calls for", suggesting a demand or need for adjustment.

that is in need of reform

Implies a need for significant improvement or restructuring.

that is subject to modification

More formal and passive, indicating that the subject is liable to be modified.

that is due for a revamp

Uses the word "revamp", suggesting a renovation or upgrade is necessary.

that must be amended

A formal term, implying a legal or official correction is needed.

FAQs

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

Use "that needs to be changed" to refer to something requiring modification or alteration. For example, "The policy has several sections "that need to be changed" to reflect the new regulations".

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

You can use alternatives like "that requires modification", "that requires alteration", or "that warrants revision depending on the desired level of formality.

When is it appropriate to use "that needs to be changed"?

"That needs to be changed" is suitable for general use across various contexts. However, for formal writing, consider alternatives such as "that requires modification" or "that must be amended" to maintain a professional tone.

Is "that needs to be changed" grammatically correct?

Yes, "that needs to be changed" is grammatically correct and follows standard English sentence structure. It is commonly used and widely accepted in both spoken and written language.