difficult but worthwhile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult but worthwhile" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a task or experience that requires effort and challenges but ultimately provides valuable results or satisfaction. Example: "Completing the marathon was difficult but worthwhile, as it taught me resilience and discipline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Kirstie Allsopp added that introducing children to healthy food was difficult but worthwhile.

Independent

Mr. Naughton said the process had been difficult but worthwhile and said he supported the elimination of juror exemptions.

The New York Times

The Philadelphia practice made that difficult but worthwhile transition to electronic health records in 2004, said Dr. Richard J. Baron, the author of the journal article.

The New York Times

Getting into the streaming TV space is difficult, but worthwhile.

TechCrunch

Rafael Montañez Ortíz described the transition as a difficult but worthwhile one: "Moving out into the larger world never is [not painless], but in my view it doesn't make sense to remain forever underclass.

Huffington Post

Tackling the perception that the outbreak has been "over-hyped" may be difficult but worthwhile.

British Medical Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It is a difficult task but worthwhile pursuing.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

AnalyticsMD, which is launching out of Y Combinator's latest batch, is a startup tackling a difficult but very worthwhile problem: how to boost the operational efficiency of hospitals and improve patient care by helping staff make better choices about how resources are allocated.

TechCrunch

"This is a difficult, but clearly worthwhile effort.

Unicef

It was hard, but worthwhile.

Huffington Post

Devolution is complex, it's dynamic and difficult, but it's worthwhile".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "difficult but worthwhile", ensure the sentence clearly articulates both the challenges and the specific benefits or value derived from overcoming those challenges. Providing concrete examples can enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the difficulty without adequately explaining the positive outcomes. If the 'worthwhile' aspect isn't apparent, the phrase can sound hollow or unconvincing. Always balance the perceived hardship with tangible benefits.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult but worthwhile" functions as an adjectival phrase that describes something that involves challenges or effort, yet ultimately provides significant value, benefit, or satisfaction. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form. It conveys a sense of balance between hardship and reward.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult but worthwhile" is a versatile and frequently used expression that correctly describes something that presents challenges but ultimately yields significant benefits. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's found across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and business domains. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, ensuring a clear articulation of both the challenges and rewards strengthens its impact. Alternatives like "challenging yet rewarding" and "arduous but valuable" can provide nuanced variations to the original phrase. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, writers can effectively leverage "difficult but worthwhile" to convey motivation and justify undertaking complex tasks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging yet rewarding

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging" and "worthwhile" with "rewarding", emphasizing the positive outcome.

arduous but valuable

Substitutes "difficult" with "arduous" highlighting the effort involved and "worthwhile" with "valuable" stressing the importance of outcome.

challenging but ultimately satisfying

Adds emphasis on the long-term positive outcome, using "ultimately satisfying" instead of "worthwhile".

tough but beneficial

Uses more informal synonyms, "tough" and "beneficial", while maintaining the core meaning.

demanding but fruitful

Replaces "difficult" with "demanding" suggesting a high level of effort, and "worthwhile" with "fruitful" focusing on positive results.

testing but advantageous

Emphasizes the trial-like nature of the difficulty with "testing", and the positive outcome with "advantageous".

laborious but gratifying

Highlights the effort involved using "laborious" and replaces "worthwhile" with "gratifying", emphasizing the satisfaction gained.

taxing but enriching

Indicates a draining aspect using "taxing" and replaces "worthwhile" with "enriching" which stresses an element of personal development.

strenuous but fulfilling

Uses "strenuous" to emphasize the high energy expenditure involved and replaces "worthwhile" with "fulfilling" focusing on personal satisfaction.

complex yet invaluable

Shifts the focus to complexity rather than difficulty while maintaining the importance of the outcome using "invaluable".

FAQs

How can I use "difficult but worthwhile" in a sentence?

You can use "difficult but worthwhile" to describe a task, project, or experience that presents challenges but ultimately provides significant value or satisfaction. For example: "Learning a new language is "difficult but worthwhile" because it opens doors to new cultures and opportunities."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "difficult but worthwhile"?

Some alternatives include "challenging yet rewarding", "arduous but valuable", or "tough but beneficial", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it redundant to say something is "difficult but worthwhile"?

No, it's not necessarily redundant. The phrase emphasizes a contrast. It acknowledges the effort required but highlights the ultimate benefits, conveying that the challenges are justified by the positive results.

What's the difference between "difficult but worthwhile" and "easy but meaningless"?

"Difficult but worthwhile" describes something challenging with a valuable outcome. In contrast, "easy but meaningless" refers to something requiring little effort but lacking significant value or impact, highlighting a trade-off between effort and reward.