would not be worthwhile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would not be worthwhile" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is not worth the effort, time, or resources involved. Example: "Investing in that project would not be worthwhile given the current market conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"Who am I kidding?" he laughed, remembering that he said his analysis would not be worthwhile.

The New York Times

By the time the battle over Obamacare distracted them from contemplating transnational forays, most seemed to have concluded that they would not be worthwhile anyway.

The Economist

But he rejected any suggestion that his term would not be worthwhile if there was no money to spend, and he set the challenge for himself.

The New York Times

Asked why the case wound up there, Mr. Eppenstein said that another move in the Federal courts would not be worthwhile for his clients.

The New York Times

He said that auditing a greater percentage of gift and estate tax returns would not be worthwhile because "the next case is not a lucrative case" and likely to be of relatively little value.

The New York Times

Probably, this would raise the transaction costs to the point where it would not be worthwhile.Moreover, via "peer-to-peer" systems, people exchange digital copies of music over the internet, sharing not only songs but, more important, the physical memory of their PCs.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

If I didn't believe it was a mystery, the whole thing wouldn't be worthwhile.

The Guardian

The fact that many of the proposals in the report aren't very novel doesn't mean they wouldn't be worthwhile.

The New Yorker

One editor told me that although he could pay me less because I was a woman, the savings wouldn't be worthwhile because I probably wouldn't stay in the job as long as a man would.

The Washington Post

If the price for the store version is $3 and the Girl Scout version is $5, you can perhaps argue that the fair market value is $3, and you are making a deductible donation of $2. (It probably wouldn't be worthwhile, though, unless the price difference is really substantial, or you bought a lot of Girl Scout cookies).

The New York Times

But that doesn't mean it wouldn't be worthwhile.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When deciding whether to use "would not be worthwhile", consider if a more specific term like "profitable", "effective", or "beneficial" might provide greater clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "would not be worthwhile" in overly complex sentences where simpler phrasing would improve readability. Break down long sentences to ensure the meaning remains clear and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would not be worthwhile" functions as a predicate adjective expressing that an action or endeavor lacks sufficient value or benefit. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard and usable phrase. Examples show it used to evaluate the potential return on investment or effort.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

39%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "would not be worthwhile" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that something lacks sufficient value relative to the effort required. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it serves to discourage specific actions by questioning their potential outcomes. For enhanced clarity, consider substituting with more specific synonyms like "would not be beneficial" or "would not be profitable" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would not be beneficial

Focuses on the lack of positive outcome or advantage.

would not be advantageous

Emphasizes the absence of a favorable or strategic position.

would not be profitable

Highlights the lack of financial gain or return on investment.

would not be productive

Stresses the absence of useful results or output.

would not be fruitful

Suggests a lack of positive results or success.

would not be effective

Focuses on the inability to achieve the desired outcome.

would not be rewarding

Highlights the lack of personal satisfaction or gain.

would not be justifiable

Emphasizes the lack of a valid reason or excuse.

would not be reasonable

Suggests the action is not logical or sensible.

would not be sensible

Emphasizes the lack of practical wisdom or good judgment.

FAQs

What does "would not be worthwhile" mean?

The phrase "would not be worthwhile" means that the potential benefits or results of an action do not justify the effort, time, or resources required.

How can I use "would not be worthwhile" in a sentence?

You can use "would not be worthwhile" to express that an action or investment is unlikely to yield sufficient returns. For example: "Investing in that outdated technology "would not be worthwhile"."

What are some alternatives to "would not be worthwhile"?

Alternatives include "would not be beneficial", "would not be advantageous", or "would not be profitable" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "would not be worth it" instead of "would not be worthwhile"?

Yes, "would not be worth it" is a more informal but equally valid alternative to "would not be worthwhile". The choice depends on the desired tone and audience.