good value

USAGE SUMMARY

"good value" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to indicate that something is a good deal; it has a reasonable price for the quality or quantity that you are getting. For example, "This new laptop is a good value for the money."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Good value.

Independent

Missiles are good value.

The Economist

She gave good value.

The Economist

Are offsets good value?

Independent

Good value though.

Independent

It's good value, too.

Independent

Always a good value.

The New York Times

"Gives good value".

The New York Times

They want good value".

The New York Times

And such good value.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But good value?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In British English, the phrase is frequently used as a predicate adjective to describe people who are entertaining or interesting company (e.g., 'She is always good value at a dinner party').

Common error

Do not use "good value" as a direct synonym for low cost. Something can be expensive yet still be "good value" if the benefits far outweigh the price. Conversely, something cheap might be a 'bad value' if it breaks quickly or fails to perform.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "good value" functions primarily as an adjective phrase or a compound noun depending on its placement. According to Ludwig AI, it is most frequently used as a predicate adjective following a linking verb (e.g., 'The shares are good value') or as an attributive modifier. It evaluates the ratio of quality or quantity to cost.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Travel & Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Academic

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "good value" is a highly versatile and standard English expression confirmed as correct by Ludwig AI. It is an indispensable tool for writers across all sectors—from finance to lifestyle—to denote that the utility of an item justifies its cost. While often interchangeable with "<a href="/s/value+for+money" target="_blank" rel="alternative">value for money", its brevity makes it particularly effective in headlines and summaries. Whether you are describing a stock option in The Economist or a local bistro in The Guardian, this phrase effectively conveys a positive assessment of worth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

value for money

Explicitly links the quality received to the financial cost incurred

bang for your buck

Highly idiomatic and informal way to describe high relative value

good buy

Commonly used in consumer reviews to recommend a specific product

great deal

More informal and emphasizes the opportunistic nature of the purchase

worth the price

Focuses on the justification of the expense rather than the 'bargain' aspect

bargain

Implies the price is significantly lower than the actual worth

cost-effective

Leaner and more professional, often used in business or technical contexts

fair price

Indicates the cost is reasonable but not necessarily a steal

smart investment

Suggests long-term value rather than just a one-time purchase

economical

Suggests efficiency and saving money, rather than just quality for price

FAQs

How to use "good value" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a product or service, such as "The lunch menu at that restaurant is <a href="/s/good+value" target="_blank" rel="alternative">good value for the price."

What can I say instead of "good value"?

Depending on the context, you might use "<a href="/s/value+for+money" target="_blank" rel="alternative">value for money", "<a href="/s/cost-effective" target="_blank" rel="alternative">cost-effective", or "<a href="/s/a+bargain" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a bargain".

Is it "good value" or "a good value"?

Both are correct. British English often omits the article (e.g., 'It is <a href="/s/good+value" target="_blank" rel="alternative">good value'), while American English frequently includes it (e.g., 'It is <a href="/s/a+good+value" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a good value').

Can "good value" describe a person?

Yes, in informal British English, saying someone is "<a href="/s/good+value" target="_blank" rel="alternative">good value" means they are entertaining or provide good company relative to the effort or time spent with them.