[IronJack]

Both are objects of the verb "needs," and therefore, need to be nouns or noun forms. Youre memorree iz korekt.

[stripes1776]

rhema: You're right, and if I remember my high-school grammar instruction correctly, both constructions that follow the transitive verb needs are direct objects, so the infinitive phrase to be washed and the gerund washing both have noun functions in each sentence.

IronJack: Both are objects of the verb "needs," and therefore, need to be nouns or noun forms. Youre memorree iz korekt.

The American Heritage Dictionary says that the verb "need" can be transitive or intransitive. In the first case, "The laundry needs to be washed" would be an example of "need" in the intransitive sense. The infinitive is not a noun phrase. In the other case, "The laundry needs washing" shows "need" in the transitive sense. The gerund is functioning as a noun.