Wah How to use "Need / Want + Gerund (ing)"

To talk about jobs that someone needs to do, you can use need / want + gerund.

• The grass needs cutting. (Someone needs to cut the grass.)
• These windows need cleaning. (These windows need to be cleaned.)
• Her hair looks like it wants washing.
• This carpet wants cleaning.
• I think it will rain soon, the windows want closing now.

In informal British English, want + ing is commonly used, whereas need + ing is more widely used in standard British English.