Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[nawee]

Hello,

I'm a bit confused with these constructions.

need to do something
need doing something
need to be done something

I understand the first one. What about the other two?

Thank you,

Nawee

[nawee]

I have written the following sentences to see if I get them right. I have a feeling that they differ slightly in meaning.

1. I need to finish this report.
(= I have to finish this report)

2. This report needs finishing.
(= The report is not finished. Someone has to finish it)

3. I need this report finished (finishing?) by 8 a.m. tomorrow.
(= "I" may not be the one who has to finish the report, but someone
has to.)

4. This report needs to be finished by 8 a.m. tomorrow.
(= similar in construction to 1, but similar in meaning to 2?)

The core meaning might be the same and you may think I'm worrying about something that's not important. But how do I know which one to use?

Can I say that with the -ing and the passive construction, the subject is usual an object and not the agent of the action described by the verb?

Thank you very much,

Nawee

[CP]

1. Right.

2. Right. Not specified whether I or someone else must do the work, so it could be either.

3. "I need this report finished [not finishing] by 8 a.m. tomorrow." Implies that someone else is finishing it, and I'm making sure the person knows the deadline. Sounds like a boss speaking to an employee.

4. Right. Someone has to finish it by the deadline; that someone might me me, but you cannot tell from the sentence.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[nawee]

What is the difference between 2 and 4 then?

This report needs finishing.

This report needs to be finished.

Thank you,

Nawee

[CP]

Nothing, really, as you have just written them. But as originally written, sentence 4 gave the deadline, too.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb