'Need + verb-ing'
Sometimes it's useful to talk about fixing or improving things, but without saying who is going to do it. To do this, we can use need + verb-ing. Today we challenge Asae from Japan to form correct sentences using this grammar, and in return she gives William one or two pieces of advice!

Listen to the programme!

Need + verb-ing

Download this programme (mp3 - 1.8mb)



To talk about fixing or improving things, you can use need with an -ing verb. There are three parts to this structure. First, you name the thing – my hair, or the car, or my shoes. Then you say 'need' - or 'needs' - and finally, a verb with –ing.

Positive

subject	need(s)	verb-ing
My hair	needs	cutting
The curtains	need	washing

Negative

subject	doesn't / don't	need	verb-ing
My hair	doesn't	need	cutting
The curtains	don't	need	washing

Question

do/does	subject	need	verb-ing
Does	my hair	need	cutting?
Do	the curtains	need	washing?

Download these tables (pdf - 35k)
Download Catherine's grammar explanation (pdf - 35k)
Hear more examples (mp3 - 149Kb)



Now it's your turn to practise need + verb-ing. Go to our quiz page on this subject here.

Meet us				Useful Links				Next episode
Catherine and William				Flatmates - verb + ing patterns Frances King School of English* *The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites				In the next programme, we're looking at another way to talk about improving or fixing things... Homepage and archive