How to use "be worth"

What Does "be worth" Mean?

The collocation be worth is used to indicate the value, utility, or importance of something. It can refer to a specific monetary value (financial worth) or the merit of an action or object (qualitative worth).

This expression is semi-idiomatic. While "worth" functions as an adjective or a preposition-like head, it does not follow the standard rules of typical adjectives. The register is neutral, making it equally appropriate for casual conversation, financial reporting, and academic analysis.

How to Use It

The grammatical structure of be worth is unique and requires careful attention. It follows the pattern: Subject + be + worth + [Noun Phrase/Gerund].

• With Nouns/Amounts: Used to state financial value or equivalent merit (e.g., "It is worth five dollars").
• With Gerunds (-ing): Used to suggest that an action is rewarding enough to justify the effort (e.g., "It is worth visiting").
• The Dummy 'It': Frequently used in the construction "It is worth it," where the second "it" refers back to the effort or cost involved.

What sounds unnatural:

• Wrong Verb: Using "have worth" when you mean the quality of an action (use "be worth" instead).
• Wrong Particle: Adding "of" after worth (e.g., "It is worth of $10" is incorrect).
• Wrong Verb Form: Following it with an infinitive (e.g., "It is worth to go" is a common error).

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from be worth on Ludwig.guru.

"I'll be worth nothing"." — nytimes.com

"It won't be worth saving." — newyorker.com

"Could be worth around £500m." — independent.co.uk

"That show might be worth watching." — nytimes.com

"The effort will be worth it." — nytimes.com

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
deserve	Focuses on the merit of a person or thing; followed by a noun or infinitive.
merit	More formal; often used in academic or professional contexts to indicate something is worthy of attention.
value at	Specifically used for financial appraisals and formal estimates.
warrant	A formal alternative suggesting that a situation justifies a specific reaction or action.
be rewarding	Emphasizes the emotional or personal benefit rather than the cost-benefit analysis.

Common Mistakes

• The Infinitive Trap: Learners often incorrectly follow it with an infinitive (e.g., 'it is worth to buy') instead of a gerund (it is worth buying) or noun. This is the most frequent error made by non-native speakers.
• Adding "Of": Many speakers try to say "worth of," but in this collocation, worth acts as a preposition-like adjective that takes a direct object without an extra preposition.
• Separability: Unlike phrasal verbs, the components of be worth cannot be separated by other words; the verb "to be" must be conjugated and immediately followed by "worth."

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Meaning	Grammatical Pattern	Register
be worth	To have a specific value or justify the effort spent	Subject + be + worth + [noun/-ing form]	Neutral

FAQs

Can the words in the expression be separated by other parts of speech?

No, the components of be worth cannot be separated. The verb "be" must always precede the adjective "worth" directly, though adverbs like "certainly" or "hardly" can occasionally be placed between them.

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What is the difference between be worth and be worthy of?

While be worth is followed directly by a noun or gerund to show value, be worthy of is more formal and requires the preposition "of." Additionally, be worthy of usually implies that someone deserves respect or a specific treatment, rather than focusing on cost-benefit.

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Should I use an infinitive or a gerund after this expression?

You must always use a gerund (the -ing form) or a noun after be worth. Learners often incorrectly follow it with an infinitive, such as saying "it is worth to see," but the correct grammatical structure is "it is worth seeing."