How do you use "need / want + -ing" in a sentence?

The grass needs cutting.' (= needs to be cut) Your hair wants trimming.' (informal British) This problem requires solving.' (formal) The windows need cleaning.

need / want + -ing

Q: What does "need / want + -ing" mean?

Passive meaning without passive form 'Need' and 'want' can be followed by -ing with a passive meaning: 'The car needs washing' = 'The car needs to be washed.' This is more informal and common in spoken English. Also works with 'require' in formal contexts.

Grammar Pattern BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Casual

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Significado: Passive meaning without passive form

不使用被动形式表达被动含义

Significado pasivo sin forma pasiva

受動態の形式なしに受動の意味を表す

수동태 형태 없이 수동의 의미를 나타내기

'Need' and 'want' can be followed by -ing with a passive meaning: 'The car needs washing' = 'The car needs to be washed.' This is more informal and common in spoken English. Also works with 'require' in formal contexts.

'Need'和'want'可以后接-ing形式表达被动含义：'The car needs washing'（车需要洗）= 'The car needs to be washed'。这种用法更非正式，在口语中常见。'Require'在正式语境中也这样使用。

'Need' y 'want' pueden ir seguidos de -ing con significado pasivo: 'The car needs washing' = 'The car needs to be washed.' Esto es más informal y común en inglés hablado. También funciona con 'require' en contextos formales.

「Need」と「want」は-ing形で受動の意味を表せます：「The car needs washing」=「The car needs to be washed」よりカジュアルで、話し言葉で一般的です。「require」もフォーマルな文脈で同様に使えます。

'Need'와 'want'는 수동의 의미를 가진 -ing와 함께 쓸 수 있습니다: 'The car needs washing' = 'The car needs to be washed.' 이 형태는 더 비격식적이며 구어 영어에서 흔합니다. 격식적 맥락에서는 'require'도 같은 방식으로 쓸 수 있습니다.

Ejemplos

The grass needs cutting.' (= needs to be cut)
草需要修剪了。'（= 需要被修剪）
El césped necesita cortarse.' (= necesita ser cortado)
芝生を刈る必要があります。'（= 刈られる必要がある）
잔디를 깎아야 합니다. (= 깎여야 한다)
Your hair wants trimming.' (informal British)
你的头发该修剪了。'（非正式英式）
Tu pelo necesita recortarse.' (británico informal)
髪を整える必要がありますね。'（非公式イギリス英語）
머리를 좀 다듬어야겠네요. (비격식 영국 영어)
This problem requires solving.' (formal)
这个问题需要解决。'（正式）
Este problema requiere solución.' (formal)
この問題は解決が必要です。'（フォーマル）
이 문제는 해결이 필요합니다. (격식적)
The windows need cleaning.
窗户需要清洁了。
Las ventanas necesitan limpiarse.
窓を掃除する必要があります。
창문을 닦아야 합니다.

Pronunciación

Guía de uso

Contexto: spoken, everyday

Tono: practical

✓ Correcto

The car needs servicing.
车需要保养了。
El coche necesita servicio.
車は整備が必要です。
차 정비가 필요해요.
My phone needs charging.
我的手机需要充电。
Mi teléfono necesita cargarse.
携帯を充電する必要があります。
휴대폰 충전이 필요해요.
This document needs updating.
这份文件需要更新。
Este documento necesita actualizarse.
この書類は更新が必要です。
이 문서는 업데이트가 필요합니다.
The walls want painting.
墙壁需要粉刷。
Las paredes necesitan pintarse.
壁は塗装が必要です。
벽에 페인트칠이 필요해요.
The car needs cutting.
这辆车需要剪裁。
El carro necesita un corte.
車は洗車が必要です。
그 차는 세차가 필요하다.
The grass needs washing.
这片草坪需要清洗。
El pasto necesita un lavado.
芝生は刈る必要があります。
잔디는 깎아야 한다.

✗ Incorrecto

The car needs to cutting. (use -ing or 'to be cut')
The car needs to cutting.（应用-ing或'to be cut'）
The car needs to cutting.（se usa -ing o 'to be cut'）
The car needs to cutting.（-ingまたは「to be cut」を使う）
The car needs to cutting.（-ing 또는 'to be cut'를 사용）
The grass needs to wash. (needs 'to be washed' or 'washing')
The grass needs to wash.（应用'to be washed'或'washing'）
The grass needs to wash.（se necesita 'to be washed' o 'washing'）
The grass needs to wash.（「to be washed」または「washing」が必要）
The grass needs to wash.（'to be washed' 또는 'washing'이 필요）

Origen e historia

Active form with passive meaning

Contexto cultural

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Regional notes: 'Want' with -ing is mainly British

Más de este tema

Causative Passive (have/get something done) ★★★★☆ Describing actions you arrange for others to do Impersonal Passive ★★★★☆ Passive structures with impersonal 'it' for reporting Passive with Reporting Verbs ★★★★☆ It is said/believed/thought structures get + Past Participle ★★★★☆ Informal passive and change-of-state have/get + Object + Past Participle ★★★★☆ Causative for arranged services or experiences Personal Passive ★★★☆☆ Person as subject with verbs of saying/thinking