Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[learner12]

Hello, teachers!!

I think that this book deserves reading.
=I think that this book deserves to be read.

The above sentences are correct, I guess.

So I think that the next (1), (2), (3), and (4) are technically correct.
(1) My car needs washing.
(2) My car wants washing.
(3) My car requires washing.
(4) My car deserves washing.

Thank you in advance.

[suesummers]

You cannot use ''wants'' with inanimate objects. Only living things can want something.
_________________
Centennial College Rocks!

[learner12]

Dear suesummers:

Thank you so much for your pinpoint explanations.

So,

(1) My car needs washing.
(3) My car requires washing.
(4) My car deserves washing.
are all correct?

Thank you in advance.

[redset]

Actually 'my car wants washing' would be acceptable colloquial English in some parts of Britain

4) Sounds a little strange (if something's deserving it's usually because of some human characteristics or actions - it's good, loyal, beautiful etc.) but it could still work, the others are fine.