is not worthy of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not worthy of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that someone or something does not deserve a particular honor, respect, or consideration. Example: "His actions are not worthy of our trust, given his history of dishonesty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is not worthy of response.

The New Yorker

It is not worthy of a party of government.

The Guardian

A cartoon campaign is not worthy of a democratic society.

The New York Times - Magazine

The freshmen bill is not worthy of the name reform.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, "Harvests of Joy" is not worthy of Mondavi's achievements.

The New York Times - Books

Science transcends belief systems and identities, or it is not worthy of its name.

Cornell University

That's not to say the Bobcats' dysfunctional mess is not worthy of some rubbernecking.

The New York Times - Sports

If an assignment is not worthy of my own son's time, I'm dumping it.

The New York Times

"It is not worthy of response and those responsible should be called to account".

Independent

There is, apparently, no domestic decision that is not worthy of his involvement.

The New York Times

This new policy is not worthy of that system of justice or our legal traditions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is not worthy of", ensure the context clearly indicates what standard or expectation is not being met. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the message.

Common error

Avoid using "is not worthy of" in overly casual or informal contexts, as it can sound unnecessarily harsh or pompous. Consider more relaxed alternatives like "doesn't deserve" in everyday conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not worthy of" primarily functions as a subject complement, describing a quality or state of the subject that deems it undeserving of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically correct and widely used. The examples illustrate its use in expressing disapproval or a lack of merit.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is not worthy of" is a versatile expression used to convey a lack of merit or deserving quality. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is grammatically correct and appears frequently in reliable sources. It often carries a negative judgment, indicating that something fails to meet a specific standard or expectation. While versatile, "is not worthy of" leans toward a more formal register and might sound stilted in casual conversation where alternatives like "does not deserve" are more appropriate. Key to using this expression effectively is ensuring the context clarifies the unmet standard to avoid ambiguity. The phrase is commonly found in news, academic writing, and formal business communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

does not deserve

Emphasizes the lack of entitlement to something.

is unworthy of

A more formal synonym, stressing a lack of worth.

is not deserving of

Highlights the absence of deserving qualities.

falls short of

Indicates a failure to meet a certain standard.

is inadequate for

Focuses on the insufficiency for a specific purpose.

is unbefitting of

Suggests something is inappropriate or unsuitable.

is not up to

Implies a lack of required quality or standard.

is unfit for

Emphasizes a lack of suitability.

does not merit

Highlights the absence of qualities that justify something.

is not qualified for

Focuses on lacking the necessary qualifications.

FAQs

How can I use "is not worthy of" in a sentence?

Use "is not worthy of" to express that something or someone does not merit a particular honor, respect, or consideration. For example, "That behavior is not worthy of a professional."

What are some alternatives to "is not worthy of"?

You can use alternatives like "does not deserve", "is unworthy of", or "is not deserving of" depending on the context.

Is "is not worthy of" formal or informal?

"Is not worthy of" can be used in both formal and neutral contexts, but it tends to lean towards a more formal tone. For casual conversation, consider using "doesn't deserve".

What's the difference between "is not worthy of" and "does not deserve"?

While both phrases convey a lack of merit, "is not worthy of" often carries a slightly stronger and more formal connotation compared to the more straightforward and commonly used phrase "does not deserve".