is worth nothing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is worth nothing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to emphasize that something is not worth anything or has no value. For example, "This broken watch is worth nothing at all."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is worth nothing.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Without intelligence, beauty is worth nothing".

The New York Times

"My degree is worth nothing," she says.

The Guardian

But it is worth nothing unless it is enforced.

Independent

"It tells us that our work is worth nothing".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"But a woman is worth nothing to a Moroccan.

The New York Times

I enter a class in which the teacher tells me that my opinion is worth nothing..

The New Yorker

I never check my luggage so free checked bags is worth nothing to me.

The Economist

"That's better than a colt who gets hurt and is worth nothing".

The New York Times

It seems that literature is worth nothing if it does not serve a political master.

The New York Times

One clear problem is counterparty risk; insurance is worth nothing if the insurer cannot pay up.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is worth nothing", ensure the context clearly defines what aspect of value is being negated—monetary, practical, emotional, etc. For instance, "His apology is worth nothing after the damage he caused" clarifies that the apology lacks emotional value.

Common error

Avoid using "is worth nothing" when a nuanced assessment of value is needed. For example, stating "the project is worth nothing" might be an oversimplification if the project has some intangible benefits, even if it lacks financial returns. Be specific about what kind of value is absent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is worth nothing" functions as a predicative expression indicating a complete lack of value. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to emphasize that something possesses no worth, whether monetary, practical, or emotional. The phrase's primary role is to negate the value or significance of a subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is worth nothing" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey a complete lack of value or significance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. While the sentiment can be strong, the register is generally neutral. To avoid overgeneralizations, always clarify the specific aspect of value being negated. Alternative phrases such as "is of no value" or "is completely worthless" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is of no value

Emphasizes the complete lack of monetary or practical worth.

is completely worthless

Highlights the absence of any positive quality or utility.

has no significance

Focuses on the lack of importance or relevance.

is inconsequential

Stresses the trivial or negligible nature of something.

amounts to nothing

Indicates that the final result or outcome is equivalent to zero.

is all for naught

Implies that effort or sacrifice was made in vain.

is without merit

Suggests that something lacks any redeeming qualities.

is futile

Highlights the pointlessness or ineffectiveness of an action or object.

is a waste

Expresses that something is being used inefficiently or ineffectively.

is negligible

Indicates that something is so small or unimportant it can be disregarded.

FAQs

How can I use "is worth nothing" in a sentence?

You can use "is worth nothing" to express that something has no value or significance. For example, "Without evidence, his claims "are worth nothing"".

What can I say instead of "is worth nothing"?

You can use alternatives like "is of no value", "is completely worthless", or "has no significance" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "is worth nothing"?

It is appropriate when you want to emphasize the complete lack of value, either monetary, practical, or emotional, of something. Consider the emotional impact and potential alternatives before using it in sensitive contexts.

Which is correct, "is worth nothing" or "is worth anything"?

"Is worth nothing" indicates a complete absence of value, while "is worth anything" suggests that something has some value, however small.