worth the time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'worth the time' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiomatic expression that means something is deemed valuable or beneficial enough to justify the effort and time required for it. For example, "I realized that studying for the test was worth the time because I received a high grade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's worth the time.

The New York Times

It's not worth the time.

The New York Times - Sports

He's always worth the time.

The New York Times

They aren't worth the time of day.

The Guardian

'It was worth the time and expense.

The Guardian

It's a trip well worth the time.

The New York Times - Books

Ratebeer.com reports both beers are well worth the time.

The Economist

But the skits might be worth the time.

The New Yorker

A quick drive-by is well worth the time.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Different traders will have different number to identify their worth-the-time trades.

WikiHow

But it was definitely worth the time and effort.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When evaluating a task or activity, consider whether the potential benefits align with your priorities. If the outcome significantly contributes to your goals, it's more likely to be "worth the time".

Common error

Avoid spending excessive time on tasks that yield minimal results. Regularly assess whether your efforts are truly "worth the time" compared to other potential uses of your time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worth the time" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something is valuable or beneficial enough to justify the time invested. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Wiki

23%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

14%

Reference

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "worth the time" is a grammatically sound and highly prevalent phrase signifying that something is valuable enough to justify the time spent on it. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples across diverse sources. Its neutral register and wide applicability make it a versatile expression. When evaluating activities, consider whether the potential benefits truly outweigh the time investment. Alternatives like "time well spent" or "merits the time" can offer nuanced variations. Remember, careful time management involves prioritizing tasks that are genuinely "worth the time".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

merits the time

This alternative is a more formal and emphatic way of saying something deserves the time invested.

justifies the time

This alternative emphasizes the rationale behind spending time on something, suggesting a clear reason or benefit.

is a good use of time

This alternative focuses on efficiency and making the most of available time.

is time well spent

This alternative highlights the positive outcome or satisfaction derived from the time invested.

warrants the time

This alternative indicates that a situation or activity is important enough to justify the time investment.

is worth the effort

This alternative shifts the focus from time to the overall exertion required.

is worth the investment

This alternative broadens the scope to include resources beyond just time, such as money or energy.

repays the time

This alternative suggests that the time spent will result in a worthwhile return or reward.

is worth the trouble

This alternative emphasizes that despite potential difficulties, the outcome is valuable.

is worth the cost

This alternative focuses on the financial aspect, suggesting that the benefits outweigh the monetary expense.

FAQs

How can I use "worth the time" in a sentence?

You can use "worth the time" to describe activities or investments that provide sufficient value to justify the time spent. For example, "Learning a new language is "worth the time" if you plan to travel extensively".

What can I say instead of "worth the time"?

You can use alternatives like "time well spent", "merits the time", or "justifies the time" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "worth the time" or "worth the effort"?

The choice between "worth the time" and "worth the effort" depends on whether you want to emphasize the duration or the overall exertion involved. If the primary consideration is the amount of time required, ""worth the time"" is more appropriate. If the difficulty or energy expenditure is the main concern, "worth the effort" is a better fit.

When is something not "worth the time"?

Something is not ""worth the time"" when the benefits or results do not justify the amount of time required, or when there are more valuable alternative uses for your time.