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What is the difference between using:

  • this needs to be fixed; and
  • this needs fixed

Can they be used interchangeably? Is the second one grammatically correct?

user64629
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  • I'm not sure even Western Pennsylvanians would endorse needs reprinted - but regardless of what they might say, the usage is definitely "non-standard". – FumbleFingers Feb 03 '14 at 22:10

1 Answers1

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Short answer: "This needs to be fixed" is correct. Don't use "This needs fixed."

Longer, more interesting answer: Ordinarily, you must use to be with a past participle such as fixed. However, in certain parts of the United States there is a peculiar regional practice of omitting to be when using needs or wants with a past participle, and in those areas, "this needs fixed" is exactly the kind of sentence you would expect to hear. You would never want to use this construction for general consumption, however.

phenry
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