worth asking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "worth asking" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom that is used to indicate that a particular question or inquiry is likely to provide useful information. For example, "I'm not sure if they'd be willing to help, but it's worth asking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's worth asking why.

The New York Times

Questions worth asking, for sure.

The New York Times

It's a question worth asking.

Forbes

"It's worth asking," he said.

The New York Times

It's worth asking.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But there are two questions worth asking.

The New York Times

It's at least worth asking.

The New Yorker

Is it worth asking for?

The Guardian

And it's worth asking why.

The New Yorker

The question is worth asking.

The Washington Post

I think that's a question worth asking".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "worth asking", ensure that the question's answer could potentially lead to a valuable insight or action. If the answer is unlikely to change anything, reconsider whether it's truly worth asking.

Common error

Avoid using "worth asking" for rhetorical questions or those with obvious answers. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact, making it seem as though every trivial inquiry is of significant importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worth asking" functions as an idiomatic expression used to introduce a question or inquiry deemed valuable or important. It implies that seeking an answer to the question is likely to provide useful information or insight. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and widespread.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "worth asking" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to introduce questions that are considered valuable or important to explore. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is widely used in various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Academia. When using "worth asking", ensure the question's answer has the potential to provide meaningful insight. Alternatives such as "deserves consideration" or "merits inquiry" offer nuanced ways to express the importance of an inquiry. Remember to avoid overusing the phrase or applying it to rhetorical questions to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is it useful to ask

Poses a question regarding the utility or benefit of inquiring about something.

is it pertinent to ask

Highlights the relevance of a question.

is it relevant to inquire

Indicates whether an inquiry is connected to the current matter.

is it valuable to inquire

Directly questions the value of asking about something.

is it appropriate to question

Asks if it is suitable or fitting to ask a question.

should be explored

Suggests the need to examine something in greater detail to understand it better.

deserves consideration

Focuses on the importance of giving something thoughtful attention.

warrants investigation

Highlights the justification for undertaking a detailed examination.

merits inquiry

Emphasizes the need for a formal investigation or questioning.

is it advisable to investigate

Suggests pondering the wisdom of starting an investigation.

FAQs

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

You can use "worth asking" to introduce a question that you believe deserves consideration, such as "Given the circumstances, it's "worth asking" whether we should reconsider our initial plan".

What are some alternatives to "worth asking"?

Alternatives include phrases like "deserves consideration", "merits inquiry", or "should be explored", each emphasizing the value of questioning or investigating something.

Is there a difference between "worth asking" and "worth considering"?

While both suggest value, "worth asking" specifically refers to the act of questioning, while "worth considering" implies a need for thoughtful deliberation or evaluation.

When is it not appropriate to use "worth asking"?

It may not be appropriate when the question is purely rhetorical, when the answer is already known or obvious, or when the question is unlikely to yield any meaningful insight or action. In such cases, consider if the question is truly "is it useful to ask".