worth

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'worth' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the value or quality of someone or something, or to describe an amount of money or goods. Example sentence: The quality of craftsmanship was worth the high price.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nobody's ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian.

The Guardian

It's worth a look.

The New York Times

One voter chosen at random will receive £150 worth of gift vouchers for Nigel's Eco Store.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Teddy Roosevelt once observed that life's greatest gift is the opportunity to work hard at work worth doing.

The Guardian

Here's the thing: in order for fees to work, there needs be something worth paying to avoid.

The Economist

It's worth a try.

The New York Times - Sports

They were relegated but many people associated with the club still reckon it was worth it.

The Guardian - Sport

This policing of women's bodies starts early, and when young women are told repeatedly that their attire is linked to their worth, they fall prey to the unrelenting standards of capitalist patriarchy in which they are made to feel as though their appearance is the most important aspect of them as women.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Oman deal is part of a government effort to sell 100 aircraft to the Gulf region in 2013, sales which could be worth more than £6bn to UK firms, Downing Street said in a statement.

The Guardian

Worth 8m kronor each, the Nobel prizes are always handed out on 10 December, the anniversary of prize founder Alfred Nobel's death in 1896.

The Guardian

Aimed at ultra-high net worth tourists from Asia and the Middle East, the cheapest rooms will be around 1,000 Swiss francs (£675) a night, while the most expensive will go for a bank-busting 25,000 Swiss francs (£16,000).

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "worth" to describe monetary value, ensure you specify the currency. For example: "The car is worth $20,000."

Common error

Avoid using "worthy" when you mean "worth". "Worthy" describes someone or something deserving respect or admiration, while "worth" indicates value or merit. For example, say 'The book is worth reading', not 'The book is worthy reading'.

Linguistic Context

The word "worth" primarily functions as a preposition indicating the value or merit of something. According to Ludwig AI, it's used to describe the value, quality, or amount of money or goods. Examples show its use in contexts like "worth a try" or describing something being "worth millions".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "worth" is a versatile term primarily used as a preposition to denote the value, merit, or suitability of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in describing quality, value, and amounts. It's commonly found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific contexts, making it a generally neutral term. Use it confidently to express value in various situations, while avoiding confusion with "worthy", which denotes deservingness. Leverage its synonyms like ""value"" or ""merit"" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

value

Focuses on the monetary or material assessment of something.

merit

Highlights the quality of being particularly good or deserving.

benefit

Emphasizes the advantage or positive outcome derived from something.

deserving

Indicates that something is worthy of a particular treatment or reward.

suitable

Stresses the appropriateness of something for a particular purpose or situation.

importance

Highlights the significance or consequence of something.

price

Refers to the amount of money for which something is exchanged.

cost

Emphasizes the expenditure required to obtain or achieve something.

yield

Suggests the return or profit gained from an investment or endeavor.

entitlement

Indicates a right or claim to something based on merit or qualification.

FAQs

How can I use "worth" in a sentence?

You can use "worth" to indicate value, merit, or importance. For example: "This experience was "worth it"", "The painting is "worth millions"", or "Her contributions are "worth considering"".

What is a synonym for "worth"?

Synonyms for "worth" include "value", "merit", "importance", and "significance". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When should I use "worth" versus "worthy"?

"Worth" refers to the value or merit of something, while "worthy" describes someone or something deserving respect or admiration. Use "worth" when discussing monetary or abstract value and "worthy" when discussing deservingness. For instance, a project can be "worth millions", and a candidate can be "worthy of respect".

What does it mean when something is "worth it"?

When something is ""worth it"", it means the benefits or positive outcomes outweigh the costs or effort involved. It implies that the experience or object provides sufficient value to justify the investment.