English grammar
There needs to be…, it's only fair that…, it isn't fair for you to…
Say what a place needs and what is fair.
From the scene There needs to be security
In short
Say what's missing with there needs to be + noun. Say what's right with it's only fair that + sentence.
Your turn
Which one goes with it's needed now?
Options: it urgently needs a law · there needs to be more security · it's only fair that everyone shuts the door
Show answer
it's needed now → it urgently needs a law
How it works
To say what a place is missing, use there needs to be + a noun: there needs to be more security.
Good to know
To say what is right, use it's only fair that + an ordinary verb: it's only fair that everyone shuts the door.
Good to know
With a person, you can also say fair for + person + to + verb: it isn't fair for you to control everything.
a place is missing something there needs to be more security
Ramón
Tomás, there needs to be more security in this area.
Tomás, es necesario que haya más seguridad en esta zona.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Tomás, (blank) in this area.
Options: it's only fair that everyone shuts the door · there needs to be more security · it urgently needs a law
Show answer
Ramón
Tomás, there needs to be more security in this area.
Tomás, es necesario que haya más seguridad en esta zona.
it's needed now it urgently needs a law
Ramón
As future president, yes. The neighbourhood is a little state. It urgently needs a law.
Como futuro presidente, sí. El barrio es un pequeño estado. Es urgente que tenga una ley.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
As future president, yes. The neighbourhood is a little state. (blank).
Options: It's only fair that everyone shuts the door · It urgently needs a law · There needs to be more security
Show answer
Ramón
As future president, yes. The neighbourhood is a little state. It urgently needs a law.
Como futuro presidente, sí. El barrio es un pequeño estado. Es urgente que tenga una ley.
what's right: that + verb it's only fair that everyone shuts the door
Ramón
And their responsibilities. It's only fair that everyone shuts the door.
Y sus responsabilidades. Es justo que cada uno cierre la puerta.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And their responsibilities. (blank).
Options: There needs to be more security · It urgently needs a law · It's only fair that everyone shuts the door
Show answer
Ramón
And their responsibilities. It's only fair that everyone shuts the door.
Y sus responsabilidades. Es justo que cada uno cierre la puerta.
what's wrong: for + person + to it isn't fair for you to control everything
Elena
That isn't democracy. It isn't fair for you to control everything.
Eso no es democracia. No es justo que usted lo controle todo.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
That isn't democracy. (blank).
Options: There needs to be more security · It urgently needs a law · It isn't fair for you to control everything
Show answer
Elena
That isn't democracy. It isn't fair for you to control everything.
Eso no es democracia. No es justo que usted lo controle todo.
Common mistake
Not need or needing here. It (the neighbourhood).
As future president, yes. The neighbourhood is a little state. It urgently needs a law.
Como futuro presidente, sí. El barrio es un pequeño estado. Es urgente que tenga una ley.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| a place is missing something | there needs to be more security |
|---|---|
| it's needed now | it urgently needs a law |
| what's right: that + verb | it's only fair that everyone shuts the door |
| what's wrong: for + person + to | it isn't fair for you to control everything |
More lines from the story
- RamónSomeone keeps leaving the front door open. There needs to be some control.Alguien deja abierto el portal. Hace falta que haya control.
- ElenaHe does. I saw him this morning, in his pyjamas.Él. Lo vi esta mañana, en pijama.