My old bike needs fixing before I ride it.

Meaning: This means that the bike is not in good condition and needs to be repaired before it can be used for riding.

Choice of Words: Fixing means to repair something that is broken or not working properly. Ride means to travel on a bicycle. When you put them together, "Fixing before I ride" means that the bike needs to be repaired before it can be used for riding.

Alternative Expressions

The bike that I have had for a long time needs to be repaired before I can ride it.

Meaning: This sentence means the same as the first sentence, but it provides more detail about the bike.

Choice of Words: The is a definite article that refers to a specific bike. Bike is a noun that refers to a vehicle with two wheels that is powered by pedaling. That is a relative pronoun that introduces a clause that describes the bike. I is a pronoun that refers to the speaker. Have is a verb that means to possess something. Had is the past tense of have. For is a preposition that means during a period of time. A is an indefinite article that means one. Long is an adjective that describes the length of time. Time is a noun that refers to a period of duration. Needs is a verb that means to require something. To is an infinitive marker that introduces a verb. Be is a verb that means to exist. Repaired is a past participle that refers to the process of repairing the bike. Before is a preposition that means earlier than. I is a pronoun that refers to the speaker. Can is a modal verb that expresses ability. Ride is a verb that means to travel on a bike.

I need to fix my old bike before I can ride it.

Meaning: This sentence means the same as the first sentence, but it is more concise.

Choice of Words: I is a pronoun that refers to the speaker. Need is a verb that means to require something. To is an infinitive marker that introduces a verb. Fix is a verb that means to repair something. My is a possessive adjective that shows that the bike belongs to the speaker. Old is an adjective that describes the age of the bike. Bike is a noun that refers to a vehicle with two wheels that is powered by pedaling. Before is a preposition that means earlier than. I is a pronoun that refers to the speaker. Can is a modal verb that expresses ability. Ride is a verb that means to travel on a bike.

Related Expressions