This house needs painting / This house needs to be painted
Hi,

Are both phrases correct? In this case what is the difference between them?

Many thanks,

:)

Question

This house needs painting / This house needs to be painted
Hi,

Are both phrases correct? In this case what is the difference between them?

Many thanks,

:)

Answer

Both are OK but "this house needs painting" is more idiomatic/colloquial; you might not say that in a formal letter, for example. "This house needs to be painted" is more generally correct.

Answer

They both look fine to me.

I recall Grammar Girl did a post on the colloquial grammar pattern which gives us "This house needs painted". It's worth looking up.

Answer

Both phrases are correct. Just two ways of saying the same thing.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn a language from the comfort of your own home. Browse our selection of experienced language tutors and enroll in your first lesson now!