valuable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "valuable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is worth a lot of money or is very important. For example: "The antique vase is a valuable possession in my family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Waldfogel's studies also suggest a very different solution: if most of the presents we buy are going to be less valuable in monetary terms than in sentimental ones, then there's no reason to believe that the more expensive gift is a better gift.

The Economist

Nonetheless, it means Summers has had valuable time to get to know Obama, while Yellen has not.

The Guardian - Opinion

It used to be an opportunist crime – a dog taken from outside a shop, for instance – but now "it's much more about organised crime, where particular places are targeted, [such as] kennels, where there can be multiple thefts, particularly for valuable dogs".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Bringing a prosecution under this act was always going to be difficult because it requires an explicit agreement to pay money or some other "valuable consideration", such as a loan, in return for an honour.

The Guardian

Eggs are also valuable; besides their nutritional worth, they are used in their millions to produce our annual flu vaccines, as well as offering a means to explore embryo development and even test theories of how birds evolved from dinosaurs.

The Guardian - Books

The estate is valuable because we are just two or three minutes from the City of London.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He takes the opportunity to have a quick lie-down, eating up valuable seconds.

The Guardian - Sport

To quote just one: "So here is a specific and valuable advance in knowledge that could only have been attained by experimentation on animals that closely resemble us; experiments which are, as far as we can tell, almost painless".

The Guardian

The removal of the cap on private patient income means trusts will be able to make more of their income from private patients, to the detriment of NHS patients because the private sector people will be more valuable.

The Guardian

Unsurprisingly, McDonald's itself argues strongly that work in the service sector is valuable – it tried to have the phrase McJob removed from the Oxford English Dictionary in 2007, and in December 2011, McDonald's UK chief executive Jill McDonald told the Guardian the word "undermines the hard work and achievements not only of our people but of all those working in the food service industry".

The Guardian - Money

If the pressure of this dramatic Championship season is increasing on those sides chasing Premier League status, it did not show on Good Friday on an afternoon when all four top-eight sides in action collected valuable wins.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "valuable" to highlight non-monetary worth, such as "valuable relationships" or "valuable insights", to emphasize the importance of intangible assets.

Common error

Avoid using "valuable" as a catch-all term. Instead, replace it with more precise synonyms like "critical", "essential", or "significant" to better convey the specific type of importance or worth you intend to express.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "valuable" primarily functions to attribute worth, importance, or utility to a noun. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it is used to qualify objects, ideas, or contributions as having significant merit or benefit. This assessment aligns with Ludwig AI’s conclusion that the term is correct and broadly applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "valuable" is an adjective used to denote something of great worth, importance, or utility, as Ludwig AI confirms. Its frequency is high, especially in news, business, and scientific contexts. When using "valuable", it's helpful to provide specific examples and consider synonyms like "invaluable" or "significant" to avoid overuse. Remember to emphasize non-monetary values, such as in "valuable relationships". The term is best suited for neutral to formal registers, contributing to clear and structured communication. Authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist frequently employ this term, further solidifying its position in quality writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

invaluable

Implies that something is so valuable that its worth cannot be quantified.

of great worth

Replaces "valuable" by directly stating the high level of worth or merit.

highly prized

Suggests something is not only valuable but also cherished and appreciated.

highly beneficial

Focuses on the advantageous and positive effects of something.

extremely useful

Shifts the focus from monetary or intrinsic value to practical application.

great asset

Highlights the quality of being a resource that provides advantages.

considerable asset

Highlights the beneficial nature of something that contributes positively.

precious resource

Implies scarcity and high value, suggesting that something should be carefully preserved.

essential

Indicates that something is indispensable and necessary.

significant contribution

Emphasizes the impact and importance of something that adds value.

FAQs

How can I use "valuable" in a sentence?

You can use "valuable" to describe something that has great worth or is highly useful. For instance, "This information is very valuable for our research" or "She is a valuable member of the team".

What words can I use instead of "valuable"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "invaluable", "useful", "important", or "significant".

Which is correct: "valuable asset" or "valued asset"?

"Valuable asset" is generally preferred because it directly indicates the worth of the asset. "Valued asset" implies that the asset is appreciated, but doesn't necessarily convey its inherent worth. However, it might be more appropriate to say something is a "prized asset".

What's the difference between "valuable" and "precious"?

"Valuable" usually refers to something that has monetary or practical worth, while "precious" typically denotes something that is cherished or emotionally significant. A diamond is valuable, while a family heirloom is often considered precious.