marie
what is the difference between needs to be repaired and needs repairing my car needs to be repaired or needs repairing. what is the difference thanks in advance
Dec 9, 2012 8:16 PM
Answers · 6
1
There is no difference
December 9, 2012
I wouldn't worry too much about this. They both communicate exactly the same thing. The technical difference: one uses the present partciple (repairing) to refer to the future and the other uses the infinitive of the verb to be + past participle. How much will this help you to communicate more effectively? Not one bit!
December 10, 2012
Yes, both work. Technically, "be repaired" is the passive voice, while "needs repairing" is the middle voice. In your example, either would work. If you also wants to mention the one who will repair, the passive would be more natural, "be repaired (by a mechanic)."
December 10, 2012
You can use both, but to me "needs repairing" doesn't sound as comfortable. It's not wrong, though.
December 9, 2012
Thanks !!
December 9, 2012
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