sentimental value

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sentimental value" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to an emotional attachment to something, typically because of a personal relationship or experience. For example, "My grandmother's necklace has a lot of sentimental value to me, as she gave it to me on my 18th birthday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I like items with sentimental value.

The New York Times

But the bottle had sentimental value.

The New York Times

Now they had sentimental value.

The New York Times

It has a lot of sentimental value.

The New York Times

She told him it had "sentimental value".

The New York Times - Magazine

Is there one with particular sentimental value?

The New York Times - Magazine

"The old one had sentimental value.

The New York Times

It has great sentimental value to me.

The New York Times

"Property often has certain sentimental value.

The New York Times

You might say that it has sentimental value".

The New York Times

Online lives have increasing economic and sentimental value.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an item's "sentimental value", be specific about the memories or emotions associated with it to make the connection clearer for the reader.

Common error

Avoid attributing "sentimental value" to items that have only minor or fleeting associations. Genuine sentimental value stems from significant personal experiences or relationships.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sentimental value" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the object of a verb or preposition, describing a quality or attribute of an object or idea. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is used to denote the personal value assigned to something due to emotional connection or memories.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

21%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sentimental value" is a common noun phrase used to describe the personal or emotional significance of an object. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media, Wiki, and Science, with authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian often employing it. When discussing an object's "sentimental value", it is useful to specify the memories and emotional connections that give rise to the personal worth. While alternatives like "emotional significance" and "personal worth" exist, "sentimental value" is particularly useful when highlighting an object's personal associations. In short, it remains a very useful way to express non-monetary values associated with certain objects or ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

emotional significance

Focuses on the emotional aspect of value rather than sentimentality specifically.

personal significance

Emphasizes the individual's connection to the object or idea.

emotional worth

Highlights the value derived from emotions.

personal worth

Highlights the worth derived from a personal connection.

intrinsic value

Implies that the value comes from within the object itself, relating to personal feelings.

cherished quality

Highlights the aspect of being treasured or highly valued due to emotional connections.

treasured attribute

Similar to cherished quality, focusing on the valued aspect.

value to the owner

Directly points to the value as perceived by the person who owns it.

memory-laden value

Emphasizes the presence of memories attached to the value.

keepsake significance

Highlights the role of the object as a reminder of something important.

FAQs

How to use "sentimental value" in a sentence?

You can use "sentimental value" to describe the personal worth of an item based on emotional connections, as in "The old photograph album has great "sentimental value" for our family".

What can I say instead of "sentimental value"?

You can use alternatives like "emotional significance", "personal worth", or "cherished quality" to convey a similar meaning. Each highlights a slightly different aspect of the item's importance.

Which is correct, "sentimental value" or "emotional value"?

Both "sentimental value" and "emotional value" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Sentimental value" often refers to items associated with specific memories or people, while "emotional value" is a broader term.

Can "sentimental value" be quantified?

No, "sentimental value" is inherently subjective and cannot be measured in monetary terms. It represents the emotional attachment and personal significance an item holds for someone.