[Grammar] someone needs+V-ing or to be p.p.?

[maoyueh]

Are both of the sentences below correct? Thank you.

1. A newborn baby needs vaccinating.
2. A newborn baby needs to be vaccinated.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Are both of the sentences below correct? Thank you.

1. A newborn baby needs vaccinating.
2. A newborn baby needs to be vaccinated.

I strongly prefer #2.

 

[Odessa Dawn]

1. A newborn baby needs vaccinating.
2. A newborn baby needs to be vaccinated.

I strongly prefer #2.

:up:
Will you please state a reason why you prefer the second one?

​

 

[MikeNewYork]

:up:
Will you please state a reason why you prefer the second one?

​

It is a future, hypothetical event. For me, the infinitive form works best in that situation.

 

[emsr2d2]

For me, "A newborn baby needs to be vaccinated" is a statement of habitual action - all newborn babies need to be/must be vaccinated. If I wanted to use "needs vaccinating", I would use it if I were carrying a newborn baby towards a nurse and I might say "Quick! This newborn needs vaccinating".