• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

The Verb "To Be"

D

dmw16

Diamond Member
I moved to Maryland a few years back and I've noticed that people who are native to Maryland or places farther south, tend to not use the verb "to be".

An example would be:
"This floor needs mopped."

Where I would say:
"This floor needs to be mopped."

Are both correct? Is this a regional thing? I was just wondering, I think it drives me a little crazy because my parents were total grammar fanatics.
 
Originally posted by: dmw16
I moved to Maryland a few years back and I've noticed that people who are native to Maryland or places farther south, tend to not use the verb "to be".

An example would be:
"This floor needs mopped."

Where I would say:
"This floor needs to be mopped."

Are both correct? Is this a regional thing? I was just wondering, I think it drives me a little crazy because my parents were total grammar fanatics.
Click to expand...

i'm not 100% sure but to not use to be, mopped should be changed to mopping.
what i am 100% sure of is that if i'm wrong, my fellow ATOTers will sure let me know.
 
this thread needs to be nominated for "Thread of the Year"


this thread needs nominated for "Thread of the Year"



not sure you can generalize in applying this to an entire portion of the country, there are people with poor english skills everywhere
 
I have lived in MD all my life and I have no clue wtf you are talking about.

"This floor needs mopped" just is wrong, and I would say (as well as anyone I know) would say "This floor needs to be mopped".

🙂
 
I hear that sort of thing in informal speech, but I hope people are educated enough to not use it in formal writing. 😉

Perhaps I'm just an optimist. 😛
 
REGIONAL NOTE When need is used as the main verb, it can be followed by a present participle, as in The car needs washing, or by to be plus a past participle, as in The car needs to be washed. However, in some areas of the United States, especially western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, many speakers omit to be and use just the past participle form, as in The car needs washed. This use of need with past participles is slightly more common in the British Isles, being particularly prevalent in Scotland.
Click to expand...

http://www.answers.com/need
 
Originally posted by: pontifex
Originally posted by: dullard
I don't know the exact grammar rules, but I perfer it with the "to be".

For a good example, click on P&N. Look at the current top link. Its title is "Tax system definitely needs reformed".
Click to expand...

see, that looks wrong to me. it should be "needs to be reformed" or i can see it as "needs reformation".
Click to expand...

Essentially needs is being used (incorrectly) as a linking verb when it is followed by an adjective. You are (correctly) looking for a noun that would be the direct object.
 
This is too funny! A teacher friend of mine rides me that I sometimes omit 'to be.' "This wall needs painted." I grew up in Western PA! Right or wrong, here is how I learned it:

What does the wall need?
It needs paint on it.
What will the condition of the wall be after you apply paint?
Painted.

So the wall therefore needs painted. 🙂

 
Originally posted by: markgm
This is too funny! A teacher friend of mine rides me that I sometimes omit 'to be.' "This wall needs painted." I grew up in Western PA! Right or wrong, here is how I learned it:

What does the wall need?
It needs paint on it.
What will the condition of the wall be after you apply paint?
Painted.

So the wall therefore needs painted. 🙂
Click to expand...

You actually learned the logic behind it? :Q
 
Originally posted by: b0mbrman
Originally posted by: pontifex
Originally posted by: dullard
I don't know the exact grammar rules, but I perfer it with the "to be".

For a good example, click on P&N. Look at the current top link. Its title is "Tax system definitely needs reformed".
Click to expand...

see, that looks wrong to me. it should be "needs to be reformed" or i can see it as "needs reformation".
Click to expand...

or reform...or reforming...
Click to expand...

yeah, those would work for me as well. whether its grammatically right or not is a different story though, lol.
 
Originally posted by: markgm
This is too funny! A teacher friend of mine rides me that I sometimes omit 'to be.' "This wall needs painted." I grew up in Western PA! Right or wrong, here is how I learned it:

What does the wall need?
It needs paint on it.
What will the condition of the wall be after you apply paint?
Painted.

So the wall therefore needs painted. 🙂
Click to expand...
no, after the application of paint, the state of the wall will BE painted. Therefore, the wall needs to BE painted.
 
Originally posted by: purbeast0
I have lived in MD all my life and I have no clue wtf you are talking about.

"This floor needs mopped" just is wrong, and I would say (as well as anyone I know) would say "This floor needs to be mopped".

🙂
Click to expand...

You are correct.

"This floor needs mopping."
"This floor needs to be mopped."
"Someone needs to mop the floor."
 
Originally posted by: purbeast0
I have lived in MD all my life and I have no clue wtf you are talking about.

"This floor needs mopped" is wrong; and I would say (as well as anyone I know would say), "This floor needs to be mopped".

🙂
Click to expand...

fixed
 
Originally posted by: pontifex
Originally posted by: b0mbrman
Originally posted by: pontifex
Originally posted by: dullard
I don't know the exact grammar rules, but I perfer it with the "to be".

For a good example, click on P&N. Look at the current top link. Its title is "Tax system definitely needs reformed".
Click to expand...

see, that looks wrong to me. it should "needs to be reformed" or i can see it as "needs reformation".
Click to expand...

or reform...or reforming...
Click to expand...

yeah, those would work for me as well. whether its grammatically right or not is a different story though, lol.
Click to expand...


ya. all of those are grammatically correct (except the original)

EDIT: Oh, except for the part that I "corrected" (bolded) 😀
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top