Can we say "need improving"
I always said things like "My English skill needs to be improved".

Today I saw a sentense: My English skill needs improving. I thought this was wrong but after googling "need improving", I've no idea now...

https://www.linguee.fr/anglais-francais/traduction/needs+improving.html

You can see there are lots of "needs improving". If we can say "need improving", what is the difference between "need to be improved" and "need improving"?

Question

Can we say "need improving"
I always said things like "My English skill needs to be improved".

Today I saw a sentense: My English skill needs improving. I thought this was wrong but after googling "need improving", I've no idea now...

https://www.linguee.fr/anglais-francais/traduction/needs+improving.html

You can see there are lots of "needs improving". If we can say "need improving", what is the difference between "need to be improved" and "need improving"?

Answer

I have read about that right now and I don't see difference. You can use "need + ing"  when you are working with passive voice. Example:

I need to clean my room
My room needs to be cleaned 
My room needs cleaning

So, in this case, its the same with the verb improve.

Answers · 1

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