a worthwhile price

USAGE SUMMARY

"a worthwhile price" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing the value or cost of something in relation to its benefits. Example: "The concert tickets were a worthwhile price for such an amazing performance." Alternative expressions include "a fair price" and "a reasonable cost."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

And besides, he added, a little bit of grease may be a worthwhile price to pay.

The New York Times

In his view, the absence of the weapons would be a worthwhile price for liberating Britain from stifling US dominance.

The Guardian

We believe that all this harassment has been a worthwhile price for our professional commitment to reporting the truth.

The Guardian

People from the private sector, whose companies regard time spent on the committee as a worthwhile price to pay for access to power, probably.

The Economist

Or they could take advantage of it, betting that a stronger rupee is a worthwhile price to pay for faster telecoms networks and elevated roads over India's congested city streets.

The Economist

According to Aluf Benn, a columnist in the Israeli daily, Haaretz, Mr Olmert struggled in a recent meeting to persuade a sceptical American president that the Golan Heights may be a worthwhile price to pay for a full-blown change in the region's strategic alignment.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

No word on the terms of the deal, but a worthwhile exit price would be high considering the $22.7 million already invested in the firm.

TechCrunch

"She must give up the fantasy of having a great work/lifestyle balance and put her nose to the grindstone — and most of all, make sure she has a strong profit, because only that will ensure a worthwhile sales price".

The New York Times

The left, by contrast, has been more reluctant to make the case for higher taxes as the worthwhile price of better public services and a stronger social safety net.

The New York Times

It would be easy to spread money around, but more sensible to be selective and stick to a handful of horses at worthwhile prices.

The Guardian - Sport

In order to determine the reduction in energy costs it will be necessary to determine the costs of the CHP technology (installation, fuel, operation and maintenance) and compare the price of electricity provided that would be required to make CHP a worthwhile investment with the price of electricity in a conventional CHP system [8].

Chemistry Central Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In economic or political discussions, this phrase is effective for framing a difficult trade-off as ultimately beneficial.

Common error

Avoid using "a worthwhile price" when you simply mean a low price. The term 'worthwhile' refers to the value-to-cost ratio, not necessarily the cheapness of the item. If something is just cheap but of poor quality, it is not a worthwhile price.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a worthwhile price" functions as a noun phrase composed of the indefinite article 'a', the attributive adjective 'worthwhile' and the head noun 'price'. In sentences provided by Ludwig, it typically serves as a subject complement (e.g. 'is a worthwhile price') or a direct object. It characterizes the nature of a cost in relation to its utility.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "a worthwhile price" is a highly effective and grammatically correct phrase used to describe costs that are justified by their results. Ludwig AI confirms its status as an uncommon but high-quality expression, particularly favored by prestigious journalistic sources. It serves a specific rhetorical function: bridging the gap between an expenditure and its perceived value. Whether you are writing about international diplomacy, corporate strategy or consumer advice, this phrase allows for a nuanced discussion of trade-offs. It is best used when the focus is on the benefit gained rather than the literal amount spent, making it a sophisticated tool for persuasive and evaluative writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a price worth paying

Uses a more idiomatic verbal construction to emphasize the action of payment.

a reasonable cost

Shifts the focus from personal value to objective fairness.

a fair price

Commonly used in commercial and transactional contexts.

a justifiable expense

More formal and often used in business or accounting contexts.

a worthwhile investment

Implies that the cost will yield future benefits rather than just immediate value.

a small price to pay

A common idiom suggesting the cost is minor compared to the benefit gained.

a bargain rate

Specifically implies the cost is lower than the actual value.

a sensible fee

Focuses on the logical or practical nature of the amount charged.

a modest sum

Emphasizes the smallness of the price rather than the value itself.

a valid expenditure

Focuses on the legitimacy of the spending from a formal standpoint.

FAQs

How do I use "a worthwhile price" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a cost that is justified by the benefit, such as: "Spending a bit more for quality organic food is often <a href="/s/a+worthwhile+price" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a worthwhile price to pay for better health."

What is the difference between "a worthwhile price" and "a fair price"?

While <a href="/s/a+fair+price" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a fair price implies that the cost is honest and standard, "a worthwhile price" suggests that the benefits or outcomes make the cost particularly valuable or deserving of the spend.

Can I say "a price worth paying" instead?

Yes, <a href="/s/a+price+worth+paying" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a price worth paying is a very close synonym and is often used more idiomatically in British and American English.

Is "a worthwhile price" formal enough for business reports?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in professional writing. However, in strictly technical accounting, you might prefer <a href="/s/a+justifiable+expense" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a justifiable expense or <a href="/s/a+reasonable+cost" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a reasonable cost.