14
Unit 14: Need + verb-ing
Tim's irregular verb tips
Select a unit
- 1 Go beyond intermediate with our new video course
- 2 Reported speech in 90 seconds!
- 3 If or whether?
- 4 5 ways to use 'would'
- 5 Let and allow
- 6 Passive voice
- 7 Unless
- 8 Mixed conditionals
- 9 The zero article - in 90 seconds
- 10 The indefinite article - in 90 seconds
- 11 The. That's right - the! Learn all about it in 90 seconds
- 12 The continuous passive
- 13 Future perfect
- 14 Need + verb-ing
- 15 Have something done
- 16 Wish
- 17 Word stress
- 18 Different ways of saying 'if'
- 19 Passive reporting structures
- 20 The subjunctive
- 21 When and if
- 22 Inversion
- 23 Phrasal verbs
- 24 The future
- 25 Modals in the past
- 26 Narrative tenses
- 27 Phrasal verb myths
- 28 Conditionals review
- 29 Used to - review
- 30 Linking words of contrast
Grammar Reference
Need + verb-ing
We use this form when we talk about something that must be done, but we choose not to say who needs to do it.
This is often because the person who needs to do it is unknown, obvious or unimportant.
We usually use this form to talk about fixing or improving things.
The form is:
noun + need/s + verb-ing
Positive:
This studio needs tidying.
My hair needs cutting.
My shirt needs washing.
Negative:
His room doesn't need painting.
Question:
Does the house need cleaning?