"there needs to"

[Pierce111]

I heard a sentence on TV with a strange (for me) grammatical construction:
"There needs to be reforms"
Is it correct or did I mistake something?

 

[bhaisahab]

I heard a sentence on TV with a strange (for me) grammatical construction:
"There needs to be reforms"
Is it correct or did I mistake something?

It's not correct.

 

[Barb_D]

Why not?

What is needed? Reforms.
Reforms are needed.
There needs to be reforms.

Within a context where this makes sense (reforms to the rules, to the admission criteria, to the treatment of prisoners, who knows), that sounds okay to this American.

 

[SoothingDave]

I think "there need to be" is correct, but I could see "needs" coming out in a conversation.

 

[Pierce111]

The situation was that TV reporter was talking to second guy (an expert) about situation after Cameron's speach about leaving EU. The meaning was that EU must be reformed. I could hear it wrong but I am preaty much sure that there was "s" at ending of "need". So what is finally correct?

 

[5jj]

So what is finally correct?

'There need to be reforms'. As others have said, some native speakers may say, 'There needs to be reforms' in informal conversation.