invaluable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "invaluable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is extremely valuable or with a great worth. For example, "His friendship has been an invaluable source of comfort to me over the years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This will enable the aggregation of data across and within industries and will be invaluable to employers to assist them understand the characteristics of their workforce, including occupational segregation, the position of women and men in management and patterns of potentially insecure employment," the WGEA says on its website.

The Guardian

It provides researchers, schools, universities and other institutions with an invaluable resource across many areas of interest, including world affairs, politics, sport, business, culture and science.

The Guardian

I have two on the allotment: they are invaluable for tubers, and can store cabbages for a month or so if the roots are kept on.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Francis Elietu, who chairs the Ogwolo SMC, found the training invaluable.

The Guardian

The flowers are an invaluable source of nectar to bees, too, and the birds will eat the berries.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Seán Cormac Nottingham I took A-level Greek at Camden last year, and the discipline it requires has proved invaluable, and I believe that much of my academic success has been due to the in-depth knowledge of linguistics, history, culture and language it provided.

The Guardian

No one can deny that the pill is invaluable for preventing unwanted pregnancy, and that it affords women greater sexual agency.

The Guardian

"Our trained volunteers can provide invaluable support in hospitals, freeing up clinical staff to carry out medical care".

The Guardian

Only Paul Grayson has scored more points for Northampton than their current fly-half, and Myler's contribution of 14 more here was invaluable.

The Guardian - Sport

But, as we know, one of the other things that has not changed over the years is the number of women actually able to exercise these invaluable characteristics from formal leadership positions.

The Guardian

His invaluable industry experience, deep understanding of the Guardian and passion for our innovative digital journalism make him a terrific partner to deliver on our ambitious plans.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "invaluable" when you want to emphasize that something's worth is so high that it's almost impossible to measure, not just that it's valuable. It's stronger than saying something is simply "helpful" or "useful".

Common error

Avoid using "invaluable" for minor contributions or easily replaceable items. Reserve it for situations where the loss or absence of something would have a significant negative impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "invaluable" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something of great worth or utility. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

28%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "invaluable" is grammatically sound and highly prevalent, particularly in news, business, and scientific contexts, according to Ludwig AI. It serves to emphasize the immense value or utility of something, going beyond simple usefulness. To make the most of "invaluable", reserve it for scenarios where the item or concept in question is truly irreplaceable or indispensable, and avoid overuse in trivial contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig's examples, it is a versatile and effective word for conveying significant worth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Priceless

Emphasizes that the value is so high it cannot be quantified.

Indispensable

Highlights that something is absolutely necessary or essential.

Extremely useful

Focuses on the practical benefit and utility of something.

Of great worth

Directly states the high value or merit of something.

Of significant importance

Emphasizes the importance and impact of something.

Highly beneficial

Highlights the positive outcomes and advantages something provides.

Essential

Stresses the necessity and critical nature of something.

Irreplaceable

Focuses on the unique quality and lack of substitutes.

Crucial

Indicates a decisive or critical role in a particular situation.

Vitally important

Emphasizes the essential and life-sustaining nature of something in a figurative sense.

FAQs

How can I use "invaluable" in a sentence?

You can use "invaluable" to describe something that is extremely useful or precious. For example, "His advice was "invaluable" during the project" or "This book is an "invaluable" resource for students".

What are some synonyms for "invaluable"?

Alternatives to "invaluable" include "priceless", "indispensable", "extremely useful", and "of great worth". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "invaluable" and "valuable"?

"Valuable" means something is useful or important, whereas "invaluable" implies that something is so useful or important that it's almost impossible to put a price on it. "Invaluable" suggests a much higher degree of worth.

Is it correct to say something is "very invaluable"?

No, it's redundant. The word "invaluable" already means extremely valuable, so adding "very" is unnecessary. Just use ""invaluable"".