be worth your while

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'be worth your while' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is worth the effort and time that it requires. For example: "Spending some extra time studying for the exam will be worth your while."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It could certainly be worth your while to investigate that spare pocket change which might be worth YOUR weight in gold.

Huffington Post

Then it may not be worth your while.

The New York Times

It would be worth your while to sell".

Independent

It might be worth your while to prioritize your zzz's!

Columbia University

It could also be worth your while tracking down an affable farmer.

The Guardian - Money

If you plan a trip with Monarch in the near future, that might well be worth your while.

Independent

If you are a man, or are thinking about becoming one, it might be worth your while considering banter.

The Guardian

Therefore, it might be worth your while listening to what we have to say, even if it makes you uncomfortable.

The Guardian

The way gold is trading on the financial markets, it won't be worth your while unless you act soon.

The New Yorker

I'm confident that it will be worth your while and give you much needed, relaxing, entertaining down time.

The Guardian - Film

Well, because sometimes it can be worth your while – especially when a travel firm is providing compensation for a service foul-up.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be worth your while", ensure the context clearly indicates what the person will gain from the effort. For example, "Learning a new language will be worth your while if you plan to travel extensively."

Common error

Avoid using "be worth your while" when the time or effort required is disproportionate to the potential benefit. Make sure that the return is realistically achievable and justifies the investment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be worth your while" functions as a predicate adjective, indicating that an action or activity will provide sufficient benefit to justify the time and effort invested. As Ludwig AI suggests, it expresses that something is valuable and rewarding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

17%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be worth your while" is a common and generally neutral way to suggest that an action will have benefits outweighing the effort required. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. As demonstrated by the examples, it's frequently found in news and media, as well as academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context makes clear what the person will gain. While it's widely used, it's important to assess if the benefits are actually realistic compared to the effort required, avoiding overestimation. If a more formal tone is needed, alternatives like "be advantageous" or "justify the effort" can be considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be of value

Highlights the inherent worth or usefulness.

justify the effort

Indicates that the outcome is worth the work involved.

be beneficial

Highlights the positive benefits derived.

repay your efforts

Focuses on the return or compensation for one's efforts.

be rewarding

Stresses the satisfaction and fulfillment gained.

be advantageous

Focuses on providing an advantage or benefit.

be a good investment

Implies a wise allocation of resources.

be fruitful

Suggests a productive and successful outcome.

be profitable

Emphasizes the potential financial gain.

merit consideration

Suggests that something deserves to be thoughtfully considered.

FAQs

How can I use "be worth your while" in a sentence?

You can use "be worth your while" to suggest that the benefits of doing something will outweigh the effort. For example, "Attending the workshop might "be worth your while" if you want to improve your skills."

What's a more formal way to say "be worth your while"?

In more formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "be advantageous", "be beneficial", or "justify the effort".

Is "worth my while" different from "worth your while"?

"Worth my while" refers to something being beneficial for the speaker, while "worth your while" refers to something being beneficial for the person being addressed. The grammatical structure and meaning remain the same, only the possessive pronoun changes.

What can I say instead of "be worth your while" when talking about money?

When discussing financial benefits, you can use alternatives like "be profitable", "be a good investment", or "repay your efforts" depending on the specific context.