Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'need + gerund' to say something needs to be fixed or cleaned without saying who will do it.
- Use it for objects that require maintenance, like 'The car needs washing.'
- The gerund (-ing) acts like a passive infinitive (to be washed).
- The subject is the thing receiving the action, not the person doing it.
Overview
My screen needs cleaning（画面をきれいにしなきゃ）」って、画面が悲鳴を上げているみたいに感じないかな？もしそうなら、君は今、英語で最も効率的なショートカットの一つを使ったことになるんだ。この特定のパターンは、忙しい人たちの救世主だよ。長くて堅苦しい受動態（受け身）を飛ばして、言いたいことをズバッと言えるんだ。わざわざ This needs to be fixed なんて言わなくても、This needs fixing だけで済んじゃう。パンチが効いてて、すごく自然。ネイティブが山積みの洗濯物や壊れたノートパソコンを前にした時に使う表現なんだ。19世紀の教科書みたいな話し方に飽き飽きしているなら、これが君の新しい相棒になるよ。それに、これを使えば（たとえ実際はそうでなくても）工具の扱いに詳しい人っぽく聞こえるしね。needs watering（水やりが必要）だし、パンクした車は needs fixing（修理が必要）だよね。英語では、何かが起こる必要がある時に2つの言い方があるんだ。1つは、作業をする人にフォーカスする方法：I need to water the plant（私は植物に水をやる必要がある）。もう1つは、その対象物にフォーカスする方法：The plant needs watering（その植物は水やりが必要だ）。この2番目のバージョンが、いわゆる need + gerund（動名詞）のパターンだよ。基本的には、シンプルな動詞のペアを装った受動態の構造なんだ。-ing 形を使っているけど、意味は100%受動態。まるでその対象物がショーの主役みたいだよね。日常生活、特にメンテナンスや家事、修理の話をする時にめちゃくちゃよく使われるよ。もし君の人生が常に「やるべきことリスト」に追われているなら、これをたくさん使うことになるはず。ただ、同居人に使いすぎないように気をつけてね。「The dishes need washing（お皿を洗わなきゃ）」なんて言うのは、典型的な受動的攻撃（当てつけ）になっちゃうから。賢く使わないと、君自身が needing a new place to live（新しい住む場所が必要な状態）になっちゃうかも。How This Grammar Works
need を使う時は後ろに to + 動詞の原形が続くよね。例えば、I need to recharge（充電しなきゃ）。これは能動態。君自身が「必要としている」し「充電する」張本人だから。でも、主語が人間じゃなかったら？例えば、電池が切れたiPhoneだったら？iPhoneは自分自身を need to recharge（充電する必要がある）ことはできないよね。それは無生物だから。iPhoneには魂がないんだ（たまに疑問に思うこともあるけどね）。代わりに、iPhoneは needs recharging となる。最後に -ing をつけると、意味が反転するんだ。「他の誰かが、その対象物に対して動作をする必要がある」という意味になる。これは needs to be recharged のショートカットなんだ。言語的に言えば、「ねえ、これを見て！誰か何とかして！」って言ってるようなもの。効率的で現代的だし、2音節くらい節約できる。Zoom会議やUber Eatsで忙しい今の世の中、その2音節は大きいんだよ。
Formation Pattern
need を加える。活用させるのを忘れずに！（単数なら needs、複数なら need）。
-ing 形）を加える。
The grass will need cutting next week.（来週は芝刈りが必要になるだろうね）。一貫性があって信頼できるし、先月マッチングアプリで会ったあの人みたいに突然連絡が途絶える（ghosting）こともないよ。
When To Use It
it needs brushing（ブラッシングが必要）。自転車から変なキーキー音がしていたら、it needs oiling（油を差す必要がある）。最近はデジタルのことにも使うよ。This app needs updating（このアプリ、アップデートしなきゃ）は、おそらく2020年代で最もよく使われる文章だね。ビジネスの場でも耳にするよ。Zoomでの採用面接で My portfolio needs expanding（私のポートフォリオはもっと広げる必要があります）なんて言えば、前向きに聞こえる。何をすべきか分かっていることを示せるんだ。SNSにも最適。散らかった部屋の写真に This place needs tidying（片付けなきゃ）ってキャプションを付けて投稿するのは、あるあるだよね。ただ、これだけは覚えておいて。これは動作を「受ける」ものに使うんだ。I need washing なんて言わないように。シャワーの浴び方を忘れちゃったのかと思われちゃうからね。
Common Mistakes
The car needs to wash.（これだと、車が自分でスポンジを持ってゴシゴシ洗い始めることになっちゃう。トランスフォーマーはまだ現実には存在しないからね、みんな。）The car needs washing. または The car needs to be washed.need の活用を忘れちゃうこと。The plants need watering.（あ、これは plants が複数形なら実は正解だ！）My phone need charging.（ブッブー。三人称単数には s が必要だよ）。My phone needs charging.The house needs being cleaned なんて言おうとする人もいるけど、それは文法的な大事故だ。シンプルにいこう。-ing か to be + past participle（過去分詞）のどっちか。一つ選んだら、それを使い続けよう。両方やろうとすると、バグったAIみたいに聞こえちゃうから。僕たちが避けたいのはそれだよね？Contrast With Similar Patterns
needs to be done って言えばいいんじゃないの？」って思うかもしれない。もちろん、それでもOK！The wall needs painting = The wall needs to be painted.painting）の方が、少しカジュアルで直接的な感じがするんだ。イギリス英語で特によく使われるけど、アメリカ人も家事や修理の時にはいつも使っているよ。want + -ing はこのルールのちょっと変わった親戚みたいなもの。一部の方言（特にイングランド北部やスコットランド）では、The baby wants feeding（赤ちゃんにお乳をあげなきゃ）なんて言ったりする。北米の人にはちょっと奇妙に聞こえるけど、needs と同じ理屈だね。require + -ing もある。This situation requires handling with care（この状況は慎重な対応を要する）。これは need をフォーマルに、いわば「高級なスーツ」を着せたバージョンだ。CEOやNetflixのドラマに出てくるシリアスな刑事っぽく振る舞いたい時に使ってみて。Quick FAQ
need + -ing はフォーマルなの、それともカジュアル？
中立からカジュアルだね。上司にも親友にも使えるよ。とにかくすごく実用的なんだ。
人間にも使える？
うん、でも「メンテナンス」的なことに限るかな。The baby needs changing（オムツ替え）はよく言うよ。You need telling は「誰かが君を叱る必要がある（君はお灸を据えられるべきだ）」というイギリス風の言い方だね。
どの動詞でも使えるの？
主にプロセスや変化を伴う動詞だね。Cleaning、fixing、doing、changing、updating など。The book needs reading とは The book needs to be read ほど頻繁には言わないけど、文法的にはOKだよ。
I need to wash と I need washing の違いは何？
I need to wash は、君が何か（例えば手とか）を洗うつもりだという意味。I need washing は、君自身が汚れていて、誰かが君を洗濯機に放り込むべきだって意味になる。大違いだよね！一方は健康的な習慣だけど、もう一方は助けを求める悲鳴だよ。
2. Negative Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
does not need
|
doesn't need
|
The car doesn't need washing.
|
|
do not need
|
don't need
|
The windows don't need cleaning.
|
|
did not need
|
didn't need
|
The lawn didn't need mowing.
|
Conjugating 'Need' with a Gerund
| Tense | Subject | Need Form | Gerund (Example) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
The car (it)
|
needs
|
washing
|
|
Present Simple
|
The cars (they)
|
need
|
washing
|
|
Past Simple
|
The car
|
needed
|
washing
|
|
Present Continuous
|
The car
|
is needing (rare)
|
washing
|
|
Future (Will)
|
The car
|
will need
|
washing
|
|
Present Perfect
|
The car
|
has needed
|
washing
|
|
Modal (Might)
|
The car
|
might need
|
washing
|
Meanings
A construction where the verb 'need' is followed by a gerund to express that a task or repair is necessary for the subject. It carries a passive meaning, implying 'Subject needs to be [verb]ed'.
Physical Repairs
Used when an object is broken or malfunctioning and requires a fix.
“The roof needs fixing before winter.”
“My watch needs repairing; it stopped yesterday.”
Cleaning and Maintenance
Used for routine chores like washing, dusting, or tidying.
“The windows really need cleaning.”
“This carpet needs vacuuming.”
Abstract Requirements
Used for non-physical things like ideas, documents, or plans that require improvement.
“This paragraph needs rewriting.”
“The law needs changing to protect citizens.”
Reference Table
| 主語 (物など) | Needの形 | 動名詞 (-ing) | 意味 (受け身のニュアンス) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The car
|
needs
|
washing
|
The car needs to be washed.
|
|
My hair
|
needs
|
cutting
|
My hair needs to be cut.
|
|
The shoes
|
need
|
cleaning
|
The shoes need to be cleaned.
|
|
This problem
|
needs
|
solving
|
This problem needs to be solved.
|
|
The children
|
don't need
|
watching
|
The children don't need to be watched.
|
|
Your report
|
needs
|
reviewing
|
Your report needs to be reviewed.
|
|
The leaky roof
|
needs
|
repairing
|
The leaky roof needs to be repaired.
|
フォーマル度スペクトル
The vehicle requires cleaning. (Maintenance)
The car needs to be washed. (Maintenance)
The car needs washing. (Maintenance)
The whip needs a scrub. (Maintenance)
Need + 動名詞：受け身のパワー
構成
- 主語 + need(s) + 動詞-ing The lawn needs mowing.
- 主語 + don't/doesn't need + 動詞-ing The kids don't need watching.
いつ使う？
- 家事とメンテナンス The kitchen needs cleaning.
- 修理とトラブル My phone needs fixing.
- 改善・修正 This report needs revising.
重要ポイント
- 主語はアクションをしない The car needs washing (not 'the car washes')
- 'needs to be done' と同じ Needs washing = Needs to be washed
Need + 動名詞 vs. Need to + 動詞 (能動態)
いつ Need + 動名詞 を使う？
文の主語がそのアクションを自分で行いますか？
主語に対して何かアクション（家事、修理、改善など）がなされる必要がありますか？
Need + 動名詞 のよくある使い方
家事
- • The floor needs scrubbing.
- • The laundry needs folding.
- • The plants need watering.
修理と手入れ
- • My phone needs fixing.
- • The roof needs repairing.
- • The bike needs oiling.
改善と更新
- • This essay needs revising.
- • The website needs redesigning.
- • Your ideas need clarifying.
状況と問題
- • The issue needs addressing.
- • The misunderstanding needs clearing up.
- • That noise needs stopping.
レベル別の例文
The car needs washing.
The dog needs feeding.
The floor needs cleaning.
The plants need watering.
Does your phone need charging?
The windows don't need cleaning today.
My shoes needed brushing after the walk.
The table needs wiping.
The central heating needs servicing before winter starts.
This application form needs filling out in black ink.
The printer needs fixing again; it's jammed.
Your hair needs cutting; it's getting very long.
The entire marketing strategy needs rethinking from the ground up.
These old files need shredding to comply with data protection laws.
The engine needs tuning to improve fuel efficiency.
The contract needs signing by both parties before Friday.
The underlying assumptions in your thesis need questioning.
The historical monuments in the city center desperately need restoring.
The tax system needs overhauling to address wealth inequality.
This vintage wine needs decanting for at least an hour.
The constitutional framework needs amending to reflect modern societal values.
The company's ethical guidelines need scrutinizing by an independent body.
The intricate clockwork mechanism needs oiling with extreme precision.
The narrative structure of the novel needs tightening to maintain suspense.
間違えやすい
Learners use the gerund when they mean they are the ones doing the action.
Learners think they are different rules, but they mean the same thing.
In British English, 'want' can also take a gerund with a passive meaning (e.g., 'The baby wants feeding').
よくある間違い
The car need washing.
The car needs washing.
The car needs wash.
The car needs washing.
I need washing the car.
I need to wash the car.
The car needs to washing.
The car needs washing.
Does the car needs washing?
Does the car need washing?
The windows don't needs cleaning.
The windows don't need cleaning.
The grass needs being cut.
The grass needs cutting.
The report needs to proofread.
The report needs proofreading.
The car needs washed.
The car needs washing.
The house needs a painting.
The house needs painting.
The issue needs addressing to.
The issue needs addressing.
文型パターン
The ___ needs ___ing.
The ___ need ___ing.
Does the ___ need ___ing?
This ___ needs ___ing before ___.
The ___ doesn't really need ___ing yet.
Real World Usage
Hey, the kitchen floor really needs mopping!
The mechanic said the brake pads need replacing.
Your portfolio is great, but your coding skills need sharpening.
The hedges need trimming before the party.
My roots need doing so badly! #hairday
The presentation needs proofreading before the 2 PM call.
The electrical wiring needs updating to meet current safety standards.
Your order details need confirming.
「〜される必要がある」と変換！
The floor needs scrubbing.
主語が「する」のか「される」のか
need to、物が対象なら need -ing です。 I need to studyと
My grades need improvingを比べてみて。
カジュアルな依頼にぴったり
The dog needs walking.
世界中で通じる自然な表現
The roof needs repairing.
Smart Tips
Switch it to 'The ... needs fixing' to sound more like a native speaker.
Double-check if they are doing the action. If they are, use 'to + infinitive'.
Use 'needs to be [past participle]' instead of the gerund for a more professional tone.
Use 'needs -ing' to focus on the object, which feels less like you are blaming a person.
発音
Linking 'needs'
When 'needs' is followed by a word starting with a consonant (like 'washing'), the 's' is a /z/ sound and links slightly to the next word.
Gerund Ending
The '-ing' ending should be a soft /ŋ/ sound, not a hard /g/.
Emphasis on the Gerund
The car needs WASHING. ↘
Emphasizes the specific action that is required.
暗記しよう
記憶術
If it's a THING, use -ING.
視覚的連想
Imagine a giant, dirty car with a huge price tag on it that says 'WASHING'. The car is the subject, and the tag is the gerund.
Rhyme
When the grass is long and the car is gray, 'Needs cutting' and 'needs washing' is what you say.
Story
A man named Bob lived in a house where everything was broken. He didn't say 'I need to fix the door' because he was too tired. He just pointed and said, 'The door needs fixing,' 'The light needs changing,' and 'The floor needs cleaning.' Eventually, the house fixed itself!
Word Web
チャレンジ
Look around your room right now. Find three things that are not perfect and say them out loud using 'needs + -ing'. (e.g., 'The desk needs tidying.')
文化メモ
British speakers use this construction very frequently for almost any minor chore. It sounds very natural and polite.
In these regions, people often say 'The car needs washed' (past participle) instead of 'washing'. While common there, it's non-standard elsewhere.
Similar to Scotland, parts of the US Midwest (like Ohio or Pennsylvania) use 'needs fixed' instead of 'needs fixing'.
The use of the gerund as a passive entity dates back to Middle English, where the distinction between active and passive verbal nouns was less rigid.
会話のきっかけ
Look around your kitchen. What needs doing?
If you bought an old, broken house, what would need fixing first?
Does the education system in your country need changing?
Which parts of your city's infrastructure need overhauling?
日記のテーマ
よくある間違い
Test Yourself
Score: /4
練習問題
8 exercisesThe windows are very dirty; they need ___ (clean).
Select the correct option:
Find and fix the mistake:
The plants needs watering every day.
Someone needs to fix the roof.
'Need + gerund' has a passive meaning.
A: Why are you walking to work? B: My bike ___.
Select all that apply:
Match the following:
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesThe garden always needs ___ (water) in the summer.
Before dinner, the dishes definitely need ___ (wash).
This essay needs to write again.
The roof needs to repair before the rain comes.
Which sentence uses 'need + gerund' correctly?
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English:
Translate into English:
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the items with what they need:
Match each problem with its needed action:
Score: /12
よくある質問 (8)
Yes, but it still has a passive meaning. 'I need washing' means someone needs to wash you (like a baby or a patient). If you want to say you need to take a shower, say 'I need to wash.'
No. You must use the gerund `washing` or the noun `a wash`. You cannot use the base verb `wash` alone.
There is no difference in meaning. `Needs washing` is more common in casual, spoken English. `Needs to be washed` is more formal.
Yes! 'The car needed washing yesterday.' Just conjugate 'need' into the past tense.
Yes, it is very common in both American and British English, though British English uses it slightly more frequently for small household tasks.
In British English, yes: 'The car wants washing.' In American English, this sounds very strange and is usually avoided.
Yes. 'This law needs changing' or 'Your attitude needs adjusting.' It works for anything that requires a change or improvement.
Because the subject (the car) is not doing the action (washing). The action is being done TO the subject.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Necesita ser + participio / Necesita + infinitivo
Spanish requires a passive construction or a reflexive, whereas English uses the gerund.
Avoir besoin d'être + participe passé
French cannot use the '-ant' (gerund) form for this purpose.
Muss ... werden
German uses a modal verb and a passive construction instead of a gerund.
~te morau / ~hitsuyo ga aru
Japanese uses nouns or complex verb endings to show necessity.
Yahtaj ila + Masdar
The Arabic Masdar is a noun, while the English gerund functions more like a verb here.
Xuyao + Verb
Chinese lacks the '-ing' suffix but shares the 'Object + Need + Action' logic.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
関連動画
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