not very valuable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not very valuable" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is typically used to describe something that isn't considered to be of much worth. For example, "This old vase is not very valuable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

History shows that the 31st overall pick is not very valuable.

The New York Times - Sports

Bystander apathy or the power of observation, in and of itself, is not very valuable.

The New York Times

"Maybe we should ask them to rebate us for the readers they now say were not very valuable Martha Stewart Living readers.

The New York Times

Mr. Diggs is handsome, poised and soft-sung, which can be a relief by comparison but not very valuable in creating a full character.

The New York Times

But an idea alone is not very valuable – you need to be able to make people believe you have the right skills to make it succeed.

The Guardian

"This is in part because time off during the week is not very valuable to people". The weekend boost in well-being happens mostly because so many people are off work at the same time, Young said.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Such detailed evaluation isn't very valuable unless it's backed up by a robust professional development system.

Harvard Business Review

A proliferation of $1,995 plans that covered mostly aromatherapy could end up costing the federal government a lot more money than the current G.O.P. plan, since far more people would take advantage of tax credits to buy cheap products, even if they weren't very valuable.

The New York Times

Rocks aren't very valuable because they are everywhere.

Forbes

"We're used to getting one or two pages of thoughts out of this sort of testing, which often isn't very valuable or actionable," says Kirstin Hoefer, the director of network programming at Excite@Home.

Forbes

"One of the most difficult jobs I have at antique shows is to tell people that their items aren't very valuable," Rinker said.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something as "not very valuable", be specific about what aspects lack value. Providing context enhances clarity. Instead of "The information was not very valuable", say "The information was not very valuable because it was outdated".

Common error

Avoid using "not very valuable" without providing a reason. State why something lacks value to prevent ambiguity. Instead of saying "His contribution was not very valuable", explain "His contribution was not very valuable due to his lack of experience".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not very valuable" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate its limited worth. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It expresses a degree of low value without implying complete worthlessness, conveying a nuanced assessment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

4%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not very valuable" is a versatile adjective phrase used to express that something possesses limited worth or significance. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically sound and frequently employed across various contexts. While direct and neutral, it's important to provide context when using the phrase to clarify why something is deemed "not very valuable". Alternatives like "of little value" or "relatively worthless" offer similar meanings with subtle differences in emphasis. By understanding its usage and potential alternatives, writers can effectively communicate the degree of value they intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of little value

Replaces "very" with "little", emphasizing a lack of worth.

not particularly valuable

Substitutes "very" with "particularly", softening the statement.

relatively worthless

Replaces the entire phrase with a single adjective indicating a lack of value.

not especially valuable

Uses "especially" instead of "very" for a slight variation in emphasis.

of marginal value

Emphasizes that the value is on the edge of being significant.

of limited worth

Replaces "valuable" with "worth" and "very" with "limited", indicating a restricted value.

somewhat valueless

Uses "somewhat" to soften the negativity of "valueless".

not highly prized

Shifts focus to how something is regarded rather than its inherent value.

of little consequence

Indicates that something doesn't have much importance or impact.

of minor importance

Indicates that something has little relevance.

FAQs

How can I use "not very valuable" in a sentence?

You can use "not very valuable" to describe something lacking worth or importance. For example, "The antique was interesting, but "not very valuable"".

What are some alternatives to "not very valuable"?

Alternatives include "of little value", "relatively worthless", or "of marginal value", depending on the degree of insignificance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "not very valuable" or "worthless"?

"Worthless" implies a complete lack of value, while "not very valuable" suggests some minimal worth. The better choice depends on the accuracy of your description.

What's the difference between "not very valuable" and "invaluable"?

"Not very valuable" means something has little worth. "Invaluable", on the other hand, means something is so precious that its value cannot be measured.