need answering / to be answered

[Mnemon]

a. I've got questions that need answering.
b. I've got questions that need to be answered.

Do they both work for you? If yes, could you explain the difference?

 

[emsr2d2]

They both work and they mean the same. The difference is that sentence #1 uses a gerund and sentence #2 doesn't.

 

[Tdol]

I believe that some American speakers don't use the first, but it is completely natural in British English.

 

[SoothingDave]

In my peculiar dialect, we say "need answered," but I wouldn't recommend that to any learners.

 

[Mnemon]

In my peculiar dialect, we say "need answered

I never saw that coming!

 

[SoothingDave]

Yes, the line is that if Shakespeare were from western Pennsylvania, Hamlet would be famous for saying "Or not? That is the question."