could be worthwhile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be worthwhile" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting that something has the potential to be valuable or beneficial. Example: "Investing time in learning a new skill could be worthwhile for your career advancement."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Evening classes and one-year programmes are on offer and could be worthwhile courses.

The Guardian

While the school board pays at a lower rate than Thinking Caps' private clients, Ms. Mayzler said, the work could be worthwhile because of its consistency.

The New York Times

"If Portland can engender new development that can generate new property taxes to pay for its investment, then the deal could be worthwhile," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Realistically, I don't think they'll ever catch anybody but the presence of the new database could act as something of a deterrent, so it could be worthwhile".

Independent

Dennis J. Garritan, chairman of the department of leadership and human capital management at New York University, said a gap-year experience could be worthwhile for employees and companies.

The New York Times

Gregory D. Singer, a wealth strategist at Bernstein Global Wealth Management in New York, said such trusts could be worthwhile for those able to put at least $1 million into them.

The New York Times

But it does intimate that how you exercise might add to a workout's emotional impact and that perhaps experimenting with a pattern of slowing and speeding up during a run or bike ride could be worthwhile.

The New York Times

At the June meeting with Carnegie Learning's sales team, Dr. Allen said Cognitive Tutor could be worthwhile if the district, which has recently cut $7 million from its budget and furloughed employees for nine days, could scrape together the financing.

The New York Times - Tech

The loan is typically paid off from the proceeds of the property when it is eventually sold, but Adnams said recent interest rate cuts mean it could be worthwhile for people with equity release schemes to check whether they could reduce costs by switching lenders.

The Guardian - Money

Home equity loans usually have lower interest rates than student loans because the debt is secured, he said, adding that if the rate was at least two percentage points below the student loan rate, it could be worthwhile making the switch.

The New York Times

If you got one person through some hours in a good way, thank them for saying so and thank them again and thank providence for the opportunity to be of service – that's the only thing that really matters, or could be worthwhile.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could be worthwhile" to suggest a potential benefit or value, but acknowledge that the outcome is not guaranteed. It's ideal for scenarios where exploration or investment is being considered.

Common error

Avoid using "could be worthwhile" when the benefit is already assured or highly likely. Instead, use stronger phrases like "will definitely be beneficial" or "is guaranteed to be valuable" to reflect the higher level of certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be worthwhile" functions as a modal phrase expressing possibility and value. It suggests that an action or consideration has the potential to yield positive results or benefits, without asserting certainty. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be worthwhile" is a versatile phrase used to suggest that an action or consideration has the potential for benefit. It is grammatically sound, frequently used, and appropriate in a variety of contexts, as validated by Ludwig AI. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it is often found in scientific, news, and business domains. Remember to use it when indicating potential value without certainty and to consider stronger alternatives if the benefit is already assured. As Ludwig examples show, this phrase effectively encourages exploration and investment where positive outcomes are anticipated but not guaranteed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be advantageous

This emphasizes the potential for gaining an edge or improvement.

might prove beneficial

This alternative emphasizes the potential for a positive outcome.

could hold promise

This highlights the potential for future success or positive results.

may turn out valuable

This focuses on the eventual worth or significance.

may be a good investment

This frames the action as a strategic allocation of resources.

might be a useful endeavor

This suggests that the activity could serve a practical purpose.

could potentially pay off

This suggests a return on investment, either tangible or intangible.

may present opportunities

This emphasizes the chances that could arise from a particular action.

could be a prudent course

This suggests that the action is a sensible or judicious option.

might warrant consideration

This suggests something deserves a closer look.

FAQs

How can I use "could be worthwhile" in a sentence?

Use "could be worthwhile" to suggest that an action or investment has the potential to be beneficial, but the outcome is not certain. For example, "Investing in renewable energy "could be worthwhile" for the environment".

What are some alternatives to "could be worthwhile"?

You can use alternatives such as "might be beneficial", "may prove valuable", or "could potentially pay off depending on the context.

Is "could be worthwhile" formal or informal?

"Could be worthwhile" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, you might consider alternatives like "might be advantageous" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "could be worthwhile" and "is worthwhile"?

"Could be worthwhile" suggests a potential benefit that is not yet certain, while "is worthwhile" indicates an existing or proven benefit. "Exploring this new technology "could be worthwhile"" implies an investigation is needed, whereas "This proven strategy is worthwhile" states a known benefit.