if worthwhile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if worthwhile" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a condition where something is considered valuable or deserving of effort or attention. Example: "I will invest my time in this project if worthwhile."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In this context it is often desirable to obtain information on any variability in production response to different application rates of inputs across a site in order to help identify if worthwhile financial gains can be made by implementing spatially variable application rates.

Field Crops Research

In short, any 'signal' would be lost in 'noise'; a false null result would be likely even if worthwhile improvement had occurred.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

If something worthwhile happens, you tap a button to retain the last 30 seconds, and even post it online.

The New York Times - Tech

"If something worthwhile takes a dive, the production people use that as a rationale not to do anything worthwhile in the future," he said in the interview.

The New York Times - Arts

The reality is that the costs of war are rarely, if ever, worthwhile" (Bickerton 2011, xi).

SEP

If anything worthwhile is going to come of this process, Secretary Kerry is going to have to do something bold enough to shatter the status quo.

Huffington Post

Nevertheless, if a worthwhile subgroup of trainees could train themselves this way, internet-alone training would be of enormous value as a means disseminating treatment expertise.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

They will come into stage 2 if they think it worthwhile; if they don't think it is worthwhile, they will stay out anyway, and the current pact will make no difference.

Independent

Financial innovations are worthwhile if, and only if, they help in those areas.

The New York Times

But even if the study did not help him, he felt it would still be worthwhile if he could help the study.

The New York Times - Health

Worthwhile if you're an Ashkenazi Jew, a waste of money if you're not.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "if worthwhile", ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes 'worth'. Be specific about the benefits or outcomes that would justify the action or investment.

Common error

Avoid using "if worthwhile" without clearly defining the criteria for worth. Without specific metrics or defined outcomes, the statement becomes subjective and open to misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if worthwhile" functions as a conditional clause, introducing a scenario where the value or benefit of something is being assessed. It indicates that an action or decision is dependent on this evaluation. As shown by Ludwig AI, this often relates to investments of time or money.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "if worthwhile" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a condition based on value or benefit. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is relatively rare but appears in both scientific and news media contexts. When using "if worthwhile", it is essential to clearly define what constitutes 'worth' in the specific situation. Alternatives such as "if valuable" or "if beneficial" can provide different nuances. Overall, while correct, consider whether a more common or specific phrasing might better suit your writing context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assuming it's worthwhile

Adds a layer of assumption, making the condition less certain.

provided it's worthwhile

Similar to 'assuming', emphasizing a prerequisite condition.

if valuable

Emphasizes monetary or material worth, differing from general benefit.

if beneficial

Focuses specifically on the advantages or gains.

if advantageous

Highlights the element of gaining an edge or a favorable position.

if it proves beneficial

Focuses on the demonstration of value over time, rather than inherent worth.

if it pays off

More informal, focuses on the return on investment or effort.

if it's worth the trouble

Highlights the effort required and whether the outcome justifies it.

if it merits the effort

More formal, emphasizes the justification for expending effort.

if it justifies the cost

Specifically relates the value to the expense incurred.

FAQs

How can I use "if worthwhile" in a sentence?

You can use "if worthwhile" to introduce a condition under which an action or investment is justified. For example, "I will invest my time in this project if worthwhile" or "The expense is only justified if worthwhile results are achieved."

What can I say instead of "if worthwhile"?

You can use alternatives like "if valuable", "if beneficial", or "assuming it's worthwhile" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "if worthwhile" formal or informal?

"If worthwhile" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "if worthwhile" and "if worth it"?

"If worthwhile" is slightly more formal and emphasizes inherent value or benefit, whereas "if worth it" is more colloquial and focuses on whether the effort or cost is justified in achieving a particular outcome. The choice depends on the tone you want to convey.