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Jandi Posted 22 years ago
Grammar

Need

Hello, teachers!

Are these both natural?

1. Something more needed to be said/added/discussed.

2. Something more needed saying/adding/discussing.

Thank you very much.
Peace!
  

Top answer

No, they all sound equally natural to me, Ms. Jandi. Around my house, something always needs to be done / something always needs doing.

— Mister Micawber

  • No, they all sound equally natural to me, Ms.
  • Jandi.
  • Around my house, something always needs to be done / something always needs doing.
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4 Answers
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No, they all sound equally natural to me, Ms. Jandi. Around my house, something always needs to be done / something always needs doing.
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Thank you, MM, as always!
I think you are very busy; you have to teach us, make money for a living, ... , and do the house jobs!!!
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Sorry, MM! I just thought of another question.
Help me again, please!

1. I need to make a call home.
2. I need making a call home.
In this case, #2 is unnatural, isn't it?

Thank you very much.
All the best.
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Right you are: (2) is incorrect grammar. Now, you see, we have changed the usage and the subject. Previously it was 'something'-- not the agent-- 'needs to be done / needs doing'-- by the agent: 'the housework needs doing / needs to be done by the maid'.

In the current case, the synonymy between 'to need doing' and 'to need to be done' no longer applies; we are now facing the q
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