The Verb Need

The verb need is followed by the infinitive only if a living thing is the subject. If a thing (an inanimate object) is the subject of this verb, the verb is followed by a gerund or the verb be plus the past participle

Living thing as subject + [verb in infinitive]

Examples:

John and his brother need to paint the house

My friend needs to learn Spanish

He will need to drive alone tonight

Things as subject + verb + ing

Things as subject + to be + (verb in past participle)

Examples:

The grass needs cutting

            Or

The grass needs to be cut

The television needs repairing

Or

The television needs to be repaired

The composition needs rewriting

Or

The composition needs to be rewritten

In Need of

It is also possible to use the expression in need of in some cases instead of using need as a verb. Because need is not a verb in this case, it must be preceded by verb be. Studying the following rule.

Subject + be + in need of + noun

Examples:

Jill is in need of money (Jill needs money)

The roof is in need of repairing (the roof needs to be repaired)

The organization is in need of volunteers ( the organization needs volunteers)

Exercise

1. It’s to hot and my hair needs……………(cut)
2. The flowers need to be…………..(water)
3. James needs………….(see) a doctor soon.
4. Mary will need……….(make) a new dress for the party.
5. His car needs…………(tune)
6. You will need………….(be) here last night
7. the squeaky door needs to be………..(oil).
8. I need………….(go) shopping this afternoon.
9. They need………….(study) harder for that test.
10. The house needs to be………….(paint) soon