to be worth

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be worth" is a correct and common phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe the value or importance of something. Example: "The new job offer was too good to turn down; the salary and benefits package alone made it worth considering."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's got to be worth it".

Independent

This turned out to be worth noticing.

The New York Times - Arts

That's got to be worth celebrating, right?

The Guardian

Jonathan is estimated to be worth £760m.

The Guardian - Business

That's got to be worth a knighthood.

The Guardian - Music

He is said to be worth £150m.

The Guardian - Business

"That chance seemed to be worth taking".

The Guardian

That ought to be worth something.

The New York Times - Sports

Ueberroth is said to be worth $100m.

The Guardian - Sport

It has to be worth considering.

The Guardian - Money

This has to be worth an MBE.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be worth", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being valued and the basis of its valuation. Be specific about whether you're referring to monetary value, emotional significance, or practical benefit.

Common error

Avoid using "to be worth" without specifying the context of the valuation. Saying something is "worth it" without explaining what 'it' refers to or the criteria for worth can lead to confusion. Always provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be worth" primarily functions as a linking verb phrase, connecting a subject to a predicate adjective or noun phrase that describes its value, importance, or merit. Ludwig shows that this phrase is widely accepted and used in various contexts to express valuation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be worth" is a versatile and widely used expression for assessing value, importance, or merit. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, spanning both formal and informal contexts. To ensure clarity, it's best to provide specific context about the basis of the valuation. The phrase is frequently found in news, media and business contexts, demonstrating its relevance in discussing financial worth, personal effort and ethical behaviour. When writing, remember that although "to be worth" and "to be valuable" are synonyms, "to be worth" implies a clear valuation, either monetary or in terms of a tangible amount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to have value

Focuses on the inherent value of something, rather than a calculated worth.

to be valued at

Specifies an estimated monetary or qualitative value.

to be deserving of

Emphasizes the merit or right to something.

to merit

Highlights the worthiness of something based on its qualities.

to be equal to

Indicates equivalence in value or importance.

to hold importance

Stresses the significance or relevance of something.

to carry weight

Implies influence or significance.

to be advantageous

Highlights the benefits or positive outcomes associated with something.

to have implications

Focuses on the consequences or effects of something.

to signify

Emphasizes the meaning or importance something has.

FAQs

How can I use "to be worth" in a sentence?

You can use "to be worth" to express the value, importance, or merit of something. For example, "The investment proved "to be worth it" in the long run" or "His experience is estimated "to be worth" a significant salary".

What are some alternatives to "to be worth"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "to have value", "to be valued at", or "to be deserving of".

Is it correct to say "is worth it" or should I always use "to be worth it"?

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different usages. "Is worth it" is often used in more informal contexts or when making a direct judgment about something's value. "To be worth it" is more formal and can be used in a wider range of contexts to express the potential or estimated value of something.

What's the difference between "to be worth" and "to be valuable"?

"To be worth" often implies a specific valuation, either monetary or in terms of effort or sacrifice. "To be valuable" suggests intrinsic worth or importance but doesn't necessarily quantify it.