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Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Phrase question

I have a question about the use of "to be done". Is it possible to use it is a sentence that indicates a past event as well as a future event, such as:

This is what was needed to be done. (Implying should have been done in the past)
This is what needs to be done. (Implying should be done in the future)

Am I correct and do you agree?
  

Top answer

Anonymous This is what was needed to be done. (Implying should have been done in the past) 'To be done' is OK there, but use active voice: This is what needed to be done. Anonymous This is what needs to be done.

— Mister Micawber

  • Anonymous This is what was needed to be done.
  • (Implying should have been done in the past) 'To be done' is OK there, but use active voice: This is what needed to be done.
  • Anonymous This is what needs to be done.
  • Right.
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6 Answers
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AnonymousThis is what was needed to be done. (Implying should have been done in the past)
'To be done' is OK there, but use active voice:

This is what needed to be done.
AnonymousThis is what needs to be done.
Right.
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Mister Micawber AnonymousThis is what was needed to be done. (Implying should have been done in the past)'To be done' is OK there, but use active voice:This is what needed to be done.AnonymousThis is what needs to be done.Right.
Great, thanks teacher.

Regarding the first, implying the past, do you mean that 'what needed" is better than "what was need
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AnonymousRegarding the first, implying the past, do you mean that 'what needed" is better than "what was needed" or is the latter wrong?
Perhaps not wrong, but certainly an awkward choice.
Anonymous it is redundant due to both "was" and "needed"?
Not redundant; that is just the passive voice for 'needed'.
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Mister Micawber AnonymousRegarding the first, implying the past, do you mean that 'what needed" is better than "what was needed" or is the latter wrong?Perhaps not wrong, but certainly an awkward choice.Anonymous it is redundant due to both "was" and "needed"?Not redundant; that is just the passive voice for 'needed'.
Oh got it. So would you say that it is gen
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Anonymous it is generally best to write sentence is active voice?
Yes.
AnonymousThis is what had to be done
OK.
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Mister Micawber Anonymous it is generally best to write sentence is active voice?Yes.AnonymousThis is what had to be doneOK.
Great. Thanks very much for your help teacher!
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