A：在英文中，deserve, need, require (以及比較不常用的 want) 等少數動詞的後面經常接動名詞或被動不定詞，但這兩種結構所表達的意思完全一樣，如 Your shoes need cleaning/need to be cleaned. (你的鞋要擦一擦)。換言之，這些動詞後面所接的動名詞，帶有被動的意思。例如：
- The house needs painting/needs to be painted. (這房子需要粉刷 — 房子被粉刷)
- The baby’s diaper is wet. It needs changing/needs to be changed. (嬰兒尿片濕了，需要更換 — 尿片被更換)
- The dishes in the sink need washing/need to be washed as soon as possible. (洗碗槽裡的餐具要盡快清洗 — 餐具被清洗)
- They deserved punishing/deserved to be punished. (他們應該受罰 — 他們被處罰)
- The roof requires repairing/requires to be repaired. (屋頂需要修理 — 屋頂被修理)
- Your coat wants washing/wants to be washed. (你的外套該洗了 — 外套被洗)