superficial worth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "superficial worth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the value or significance of something that is only apparent on the surface, lacking depth or substance. Example: "While the artwork may have superficial worth, its true value lies in the emotions it evokes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wikipedia

The New York Times - Books

Huffington Post

BMC Plant Biology

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

The New Yorker

The Guardian - Music

The Guardian - Sport

The Guardian - Books

The Guardian - Film

The Guardian - Opinion

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Gilegud's biographer Jonathan Croall comments that the two roles illustrated two sides of the actor's personality: on the one hand the romantic and soulful Hamlet, and on the other the witty and superficial Worthing.

Wikipedia

Alphonse Mucha's quintessential Art Nouveau stylings have probably never been compared to Socialist Realism, but there are superficial connections worth mentioning.

The New York Times - Books

How the turf affects the players and the game itself will be a superficial factor worth watching out for.

Huffington Post

From the general heatmap, illustrating both the expression profile and the polyphenolic accumulation in the skin alone (tissue concerned by superficial scald), it is worth noting the different transcriptomic pictures in the control and treated samples.

BMC Plant Biology

The confidence they possess from birth is enviable and admirable and somewhere along the way we have either been taught to be more conservative and conscious of others thoughts, feelings and impressions of us or we have been taught that our worth lies in superficial and unrealistic expectations.

Huffington Post

It is worth mentioning that the superficial forms of this malignancy are good candidates for instillation (intravesical therapy), which is likely to constitute an almost optimal delivery system for VAPs at high local concentrations.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Deficient interpersonal (superficial charm, grandiose sense of self-worth and manipulation), affective (shallow affect, lack of empathy, lack of remorse or guilt), and behavioral (impulsivity, failure to carry responsibility for one's own actions) characteristics comprise psychopathic character traits.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

Maybe Ms. Feldman is right, and it is a superficial -- even sexist -- detail hardly worth mentioning.

The New York Times

In its day, "Hay Fever" was widely dismissed as a superficial, plotless observation of silly people not worth observing.

The New York Times

Assembling them in one volume forces him to be superficial on occasion, but that price is worth paying to get the broad scope.

The New York Times - Books

Now that the awards-giving season in theater is nearly over, and we've exhausted such ponderous topics as the relative worth of various actors and dramas, can we get superficial for a moment?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "superficial worth", ensure the context clearly indicates what deeper or more meaningful value is being contrasted with the surface-level assessment. This helps to emphasize the critique or comparison you're making.

Common error

Avoid using "superficial worth" as a standalone critique. Always explain why something's worth is superficial, and what constitutes a more profound or genuine value in that context. This provides a balanced and insightful perspective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "superficial worth" functions as a descriptive term, typically employed to critique or diminish the perceived value of something by emphasizing its lack of depth or substance. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts, from art to personal qualities, underscoring this evaluative function.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

20%

The New Yorker

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "superficial worth" is a grammatically sound and usable expression used to describe value that is only skin-deep. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates its usage is relatively rare but appears in diverse contexts, including news, science, and literature. Related phrases include "surface value" and "shallow merit", offering similar critical perspectives. While the phrase is correct, Ludwig suggests that you specify why the worth is superficial for a more insightful analysis. Overall, "superficial worth" serves as a nuanced way to critique the limited nature of something's perceived value.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Superficial value

Direct synonym, replacing "worth" with "value" for slight variation.

Surface value

Focuses on the immediately apparent value, rather than intrinsic merit.

Apparent worth

Highlights that the worth is only what it seems and may not be genuine.

Shallow merit

Emphasizes the lack of depth in the quality being assessed.

Skin-deep importance

An idiomatic expression highlighting the lack of depth.

Cosmetic importance

Highlights that the importance is merely aesthetic or for show.

Fleeting value

Focuses on the short-lived nature of the value.

External significance

Suggests importance derived from outward appearance rather than internal substance.

Transient significance

Emphasizes that the significance is only temporary or fleeting.

Frivolous merit

Indicates that the merit is trivial and not worth serious consideration.

FAQs

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

You can use "superficial worth" to describe something whose value is only apparent on the surface and lacks depth. For example, "While the product had "superficial worth" due to its marketing, its actual utility was minimal".

What's the difference between "superficial worth" and "intrinsic value"?

"Superficial worth" refers to a value that is only apparent on the surface, often related to appearance or immediate appeal, whereas "intrinsic value" refers to the inherent, fundamental worth of something, regardless of its appearance or external factors.

What can I say instead of "superficial worth"?

You can use alternatives like "surface value", "shallow merit", or "apparent worth" depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always negative to describe something as having "superficial worth"?

Generally, describing something as having "superficial worth" carries a negative connotation, suggesting that its value is limited and lacks depth. However, the implication can vary depending on the context. It may simply mean that while something has surface-level appeal, its deeper qualities are lacking.