Skip to main content

worth

worth a lot, etc​

Worth can be followed by an expression describing the value of something.

  • That piano must be worth a lot.
  • I don’t think their pizzas are worth the money.
  • ‘Shall I talk to Rob?’ ‘It’s not worth the trouble.’

In questions about value, either what or how much can be used.

  • What / How much is that painting worth?

a million dollars’ worth of …​

A possessive can be used before worth in expressions with numbers.

  • They’ve ordered a million dollars’ worth of computer software.

It’s worth talking to Joe; Joe’s worth talking to​

To talk about the value of an activity, we can use an -ing form with worth. The -ing clause cannot be the subject; we often use preparatory it.

  • It’s worth talking to Joe. (not Talking to Joe is worth.)
  • It isn’t worth repairing the car.
  • Is it worth visiting Leicester?

We can also use a structure in which the object of the -ing form (Joe, the car, Leicester) is made the subject of the sentence.

  • ***Joe’*s worth talking to.
  • The car isn’t worth repairing. (not The car isn’t worth repairing it.) or The car isn’t worth to be repaired.
  • Is Leicester worth visiting?
note

For more about structures in which the object of a verb is the subject of the sentence (e.g. ***She’*s easy to amuse), (see here).

It’s worth it.​

We often use It’s (not) worth it to say whether something is worth doing.

  • If you pay a bit more you get a room to yourself. I think it’s worth it.
  • ‘Should we go and see the castle?’ ‘No, it’s not worth it.’

worthwhile​

Worthwhile (or worth while) is sometimes used instead of worth, particularly to express the idea ‘worth spending time’.

  • Is it worthwhile visiting Leicester?

Infinitives are also possible after worthwhile.

  • We thought it might be worthwhile to compare the two years’ accounts.

Note also the structure worth somebody’s while.

  • Would you like to do some gardening for me? I’ll make it worth your while. (= … I’ll pay you enough.)

well worth​

Worth can be modified by well.

  • Leicester’s well worth visiting. (not … very worth …)