prove worthwhile

USAGE SUMMARY

"prove worthwhile" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to mean that something has proven to be beneficial, advantageous, or rewarding. For example, "The extra hard work I put in to the project proved worthwhile in the end when we received a bonus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

The question now is whether the suffering will prove worthwhile.

The New York Times - Sports

There's a chance that this could all prove worthwhile.

The Guardian - Film

No England squad players will be involved but Wasps believe the experiment will still prove worthwhile.

The Guardian - Sport

Ms. Zhang said the cost and the risk of the procedure would eventually prove worthwhile.

The New York Times

This will increase costs, but could prove worthwhile by providing greater responsiveness as well as an insurance against risk.

The Economist

It may be a bit more than a talking shop; after all, democratic supervision of quangos and of public spending should prove worthwhile.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Hours spent on SMITE instead have now proved worthwhile: his team won $1.3m for their victory.

The Economist

It proved worthwhile after a man entered the Kings County hospital with a machete.

The New York Times

For the first time since the global credit crisis, spreading one's bets across different geographic regions is proving worthwhile.

The New York Times

And the ratcheting proved worthwhile: A Beautiful Mind won four Oscars in 2002, including best director for Howard.

The Guardian - Film

Of the new works, those by Ešenvalds, Park, Bray and Williams left a particular impression, though all proved worthwhile.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When considering using the term, think about whether an alternative is more direct or clear. Sometimes, simpler language is the way to go.

Common error

While "prove worthwhile" is widely used, be mindful of the register. In very casual conversations, it might sound slightly stilted. Consider alternatives like "work out" or "be worth it" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prove worthwhile" functions as a verb phrase indicating that something will ultimately be of value or benefit. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically sound and widely used expression in English. Examples from Ludwig show it used to describe investments, efforts, and decisions that have positive results.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Sports Medicine - Open

0%

The New Yorker

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prove worthwhile" is a versatile verb phrase used to convey that an effort, investment, or decision will ultimately result in a positive and valuable outcome. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While generally neutral in register, it's slightly more formal than everyday conversation. Consider synonyms like "be advantageous" or "yield benefits" for variety. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies what specifically becomes valuable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prove beneficial

Directly states the advantageous nature of something.

be advantageous

Emphasizes the favorable circumstances created.

be worth the trouble

Indicates that the positive result outweighs the difficulties encountered.

yield benefits

Highlights the positive outcomes resulting from an action.

turn out well

Focuses on the successful outcome of a situation.

be of value

Focuses on the inherent value something possesses.

justify the effort

Implies that the outcome validates the investment of work.

be fruitful

Suggests producing positive and substantial results.

reap rewards

Indicates gaining positive results, often after effort.

be profitable

Highlights financial gain or advantage.

FAQs

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

You can use "prove worthwhile" to indicate that an action, investment, or decision ultimately yields a positive or beneficial result. For example, "The long hours spent studying will "prove worthwhile" when you pass the exam."

What are some alternatives to "prove worthwhile"?

Alternatives to "prove worthwhile" include phrases like "be advantageous", "yield benefits", or "be of value", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "proves worthwhile" or "proved worthwhile"?

Yes, both "proves worthwhile" and "proved worthwhile" are grammatically correct. "Proves worthwhile" is used in the present tense, while "proved worthwhile" is used in the past tense. The choice depends on the time frame you are referring to.

What is the difference between "prove worthwhile" and "be worth it"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "prove worthwhile" often implies a longer-term or more significant outcome, whereas "be worth it" can be used for more immediate or smaller-scale situations.