real worth

USAGE SUMMARY

"real worth" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the importance or value of something. For example: "This experience has taught me the real worth of hard work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The play's real worth is often debated.

The New York Times

But isn't the point — that the sequester is real — worth making?

The New York Times

Our world has lost someone of real worth who made a real impact.

The New York Times

That makes it hard to assess its real worth (and deters new entrants).

The Economist

The declaration is unlikely to end an often heated and litigious debate over Trump's real worth.

The Guardian

We've got to have the tax system that encourages this fundamental building of real worth.

The Guardian

These are things of real worth, like schools, hospitals, sewers, transport systems and so on.

The Guardian - Money

There's real worth here, the world as viewed from the English 18th-century provinces".

The Guardian - Arts

But again, what's the real worth of those items in the context of your life?

The New York Times

Given Mr. Bloomberg's great wealth, the ranges were inadequate for assessing his real worth.

The New York Times

His plan is to enter his string of horses into claiming races and rank them lower than their real worth.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "real worth" to emphasize the genuine and intrinsic value of something, distinguishing it from superficial or perceived value.

Common error

Avoid using "real worth" when describing only monetary value; it's better suited for intangible qualities or profound significance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "real worth" functions as a noun phrase, where 'real' modifies 'worth' to emphasize genuine and intrinsic value. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

5%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "real worth" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that emphasizes the authentic and intrinsic value of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for diverse contexts but particularly prevalent in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science. While it can apply to tangible assets, it shines when describing intangible qualities or profound significance. When using "real worth", remember to emphasize genuine, non-superficial value and avoid limiting it to purely financial contexts. Alternatives include "true value" or "intrinsic merit".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

true value

Focuses on the genuine and intrinsic value, subtly shifting from inherent worth to overall value.

actual value

Emphasizes the factual or objective worth, rather than the perceived or potential value.

intrinsic merit

Highlights the inherent quality and excellence, suggesting an inherent and undeniable value.

inherent value

Directly points to the value that is naturally part of something, without external influence.

genuine significance

Stresses the authenticity and importance of something, rather than just its monetary worth.

true importance

Shifts the focus from value to the actual level of importance or consequence.

authentic merit

Emphasizes the genuine and real qualities of value, suggesting a lack of artificiality.

substantial merit

Indicates considerable and significant worth, often in the context of achievements or qualities.

considerable value

Highlights the significant amount of value something possesses, quantifiable or qualitative.

practical benefit

Focuses on the useful and tangible advantages, rather than inherent worth.

FAQs

How can I use "real worth" in a sentence?

You can use "real worth" to emphasize the genuine and intrinsic value of something, as in "This experience showed me the "real worth" of friendship".

What's an alternative to "real worth" that still emphasizes inherent value?

Alternatives include "true value", "intrinsic value", or "inherent merit" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "real worth" and "face value"?

Yes, "real worth" refers to the genuine, often intangible value, while "face value" refers to the nominal or apparent value, often related to money or securities. They are almost opposites.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use the term "real worth"?

It's best used when discussing the importance of intangible things like relationships, experiences, or qualities, rather than purely financial or material assets.