Знакомя вас с различными секретами английского языка, хотелось бы обратить ваше внимание на одно слово – worth, знание и умелое использование которого поможет вам выразить самые разнообразные мысли. Непримечательное на первый взгляд, оно является довольно значимым, в чем вы сейчас убедитесь.
В качестве существительного оно имеет значение «ценность, значимость», и мы подчеркиваем ценность чего-либо при помощи слова worth, например,
- We have made a discovery of great worth мы сделали открытие большой значимости –
- This information is of no worth — эта информация не имеет ценности.
- We have found a pearl of great worth — мы нашли жемчужину большой ценности
или, напротив, незначительность чего-либо:
- These pictures are of no worth – эти картины не имеют ценности
- We don’t accept poems of little worth – мы не принимаем посредственные стихи
- Your composition is of no worth – ваше сочинение никуда не годится
worth используется также в значении «богатство» :
- His worth is a million dollars — его состояние составляет миллион долларов
Worth — прилагательное
В качестве прилагательного worth используется в составе именного сказуемого и имеет значение «стоящий»:
- She is not worth your attention – она не заслуживает твоего внимания
- Don’t lock the door; it isn’t worth the trouble – Не закрывай дверь, не стоит беспокойства
Ну а если речь идет о человеке, то «достойный». Достойный человек звучит как «a man of worth», оценить кого-то по достоинству — to know smb’s worth.
worth doing something — стоит что-то делать
Заметьте, что если после worth следует глагол, он принимает окончание ing:
- Beauty is worth making an effort – Красота стоит усилий
- This film is not worth watching – Этот фильм не стоит смотреть
- The job isn’t worth doing it – работа не стоит того, чтобы ее выполнять
В американском английском есть выражение «to put in one’s two cents worth». В русском языке тоже есть такое выражение «вставить свои пять копеек», т.е. обязательно высказать своё мнение.
- Why does he always put in his two cents worth? – почему он всегда должен вставить свои пять копеек?
При помощи слова worth можно узнать цену чего-либо, или курс валют:
- What is it worth? — сколько это стоит?
- What is the dollar worth? — каков курс доллара?
WRONG
It might not work, but I think that in our current circumstances it is worth to try.
Using the structure “worth to do something” is a very common mistake. It is ALWAYS WRONG.
RIGHT
It might not work, but I think that in our current circumstances it is worth trying.
Other examples:
WRONG
In order to strengthen our position in the case, it is worth to consider including some of the claims presented in the memorandum of 25 August.
RIGHT
In order to strengthen our position in the case, it is worth considering including some of the claims presented in the memorandum of 25 August.
WRONG
As we do not know how the situation might change, it is worth to anticipate several possible scenarios.
RIGHT
As we do not know how the situation might change, it is worth anticipating several possible scenarios.
In the above examples, “worth” is a preposition. It is followed by the –ing form of a verb (which is technically a gerund – an –ing form which behaves grammatically like a noun). “Worth” can also be followed by a noun/noun phrase:
Their proposal is simply not worth consideration.
We took my grandmother’s wedding ring to the jewellers and they said it’s worth $4000.
Mazuria is a beautiful place. If you go to Poland, it’s well worth a visit.
My assistant is worth her weight in gold. When she goes on maternity leave, I don’t know how I’ll replace her.
“Worth” can also be a noun meaning “value”.
According to our estimates, there is still several million dollars-worth of oil left in the ground.
Her net worth is over $100 million.
The shares have a worth of EUR 10,000.
The difference between “worth” and “worthy”
I have also seen similar mistakes like this:
WRONG
It might not work, but I think that in our current circumstances it is worthy to try.
RIGHT
It might not work, but I think that in our current circumstances it is worth trying.
Although the words “worth” and “worthy” are closely connected, they are used differently. For example, the following sentences mean the same thing, but as you can see, the grammar following the words “worth” and worthy” is different:
That idea is simply not worth discussing.
That idea is simply not worthy of discussion.
“Worthy” is an adjective that means “having value”. Common collocations are “a worthy cause”, “a worthy successor”, “worthy of acclaim”, “worthy of praise”.
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#1
Hi. Please help me to use the word «worth» correctly.
For example why we say:
Jewellery worth £450 was taken.
But we add «is» to say:
She is worth £10 million.
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#2
Hello, Rala. You can use «worth» after a noun or after the verb «be», as you did in your examples. All your examples are correct.
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#3
Your use is fine. It is an abbreviated way of saying Jewellery which is worth £450 was taken.
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#4
What if we use «of» between jewellery and worth?
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#5
Thank you very much Owlman5 and Edinburgher.
Sorry to bother you with one more question.
Could you please help me to make questions with them?
These are my attempts.
Jewellery worth £450 was taken. —> What worth that much?
She is worth £10 million. —> Who is worth that much?
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#6
You’re welcome, Rala. «Who is worth that much?» is fine for a question.
«What worth that much?» is incomplete. It would make sense if you added something to the question: What (that is) worth that much was taken?
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#7
I think the questions would sound like these:
1. What worth of jewellery was stolen?
2. How much is she worth?
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#8
You’re welcome, Rala. «Who is worth that much?» is fine for a question.
«What worth that much?» is incomplete. It would make sense if you added something to the question: What (that is) worth that much was taken?
Thank you owlman5.
Bevj
Allegra Moderata (Sp/Eng, Cat)
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#9
I think the questions would sound like these:
1. What worth of jewellery was stolen?
2. How much is she worth?
You would need to say ‘What was the value of the jewellery stolen?’ or ‘What ws the stolen jewellery worth?’
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#10
For example why do we say:
Jewellery worth £450 was taken.
But we add «is» to say:
She is worth £10 million.
Without the «is» there is no verb in the sentence; it’s not a sentence without a verb—just as «he six feet tall» is not a sentence and «John my boss» is not a sentence.
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#11
Thank you Parla.
«Jewellery worth £450 was taken.»
Would you say it in your daily conversation? I think its more like a title.
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#12
It’s a perfectly normal sentence.
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#13
Hi. Please help me to use the word «worth» correctly.
For example why we say:
Jewellery worth £450was
taken.
But we add «is» to say:
She is worth £10 million.
In both cases, you have a verb.
In the first sentence «was» is used, because the jewelry «was already taken». It happened in the past. While, «is» is used in the second sentence, because she «is still» worth 10 mil, so you don’t add an «is» you just change the «was» to an «is»
And I agree with RM1 — it is a perfectly normal sentence.
With regards to the questions, I would say
«How much was taken?» and
«How much is she worth?»
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#14
[…] What worth of jewellery was stolen?
As Bev said, we don’t use «worth» in that way (at least, not in modern English). It is sometimes used as a noun meaning «value», but usually in the context of ‘usefulness’, rather than of monetary value: his worth to the company; the strategic worth of this victory; …
[…]
«Jewellery worth £450 was taken.»
Would you say it in your daily conversation? I think it‘s more like a title.
Yes, I’d say it, particularly if I didn’t know who had taken the jewellery. Perhaps, Rala, it sounds like a ‘title’ (news headline?) to you because it’s in the passive voice. In everyday speech, we tend to use the active voice more; so, depending on any preceding text, I might be more likely to say ‘They took jewellery worth £450″.
Ws
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#16
«Jewellery worth £450 was taken.»
Would you say it in your daily conversation? I think it‘s more like a title.
Yes, I would (except the first word is spelled jewelry in the US). That’s a complete sentence. A newspaper headline would very likely omit the verb (Jewelry Worth £450 Taken), and that’s okay in a headline; newspapers (and websites) do that to save space.
P.S. The contraction for «it is» is it’s; the apostrophe replaces the dropped «i».
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#17
Thank you for correcting my mistake, bevj and wordsmyth.
стоимость, ценность, достоинства, цена, заслуживающий, обладающий, стоящий
существительное ↓
прилагательное ↓
- стоящий, имеющий ценность или стоимость
to be worth its weight in gold — высоко цениться, быть очень ценным 
What is it worth? — Чего это стоит?
the property is worth $5000 — имущество оценивается в 5000 долларов
what is the franc worth? — каков сейчас курс франка?
worth the money — стоящий, выгодный (о покупке)
- заслуживающий; стоящий (чего-л.); имеющий значение
worth attention — заслуживающий внимания
to be worth nothing — не представлять собой никакой ценности; никуда не годиться
it is not worth mentioning — об этом не стоит говорить, это не имеет значения
it is not worth remembering — об этом не стоит вспоминать
- обладающий состоянием
he is worth a hundred thousand dollars — он имеет капитал в сто тысяч долларов
he is worth money — он богат
she died worth a million — она оставила (наследникам) миллион
that’s all I am worth — вот всё моё состояние
- приносящий доход
глагол ↓
- случаться, происходить
woe [well] worth the day! — да будет проклят [благословен] этот день!
Мои примеры
Словосочетания
an actor worth several million dollars — актёр, который стоит несколько миллионов долларов
to seize and book every object worth noticing — схватить и описать любой предмет, достойный внимания
illegal business which is worth billions of dollars — незаконный бизнес, с оборотом в миллиарды долларов
to cost / be worth a fortune — стоить кучу денег, быть очень дорогим
worth of game — цена игры
people of high interior worth — люди с высокими моральными качествами
coins of equal value / worth — монеты равного достоинства
not worth a row of pins — никуда не годится
not to be worth an hour’s purchase — не протянет и часа
not worth a stiver — гроша не стоит
to be worth a / smb.’s while — стоить затраченного времени и усилий
study of great worth — исследование, имеющее важное значение
Примеры с переводом
What is it worth?
Чего это стоит?
It’s not worth the risk.
Это не стоит того риска.
The game is not worth the candle.
Игра не стоит свеч.
This play is worth seeing.
Эту пьесу стоит посмотреть.
He is worth over a million.
Его состояние больше миллиона.
If a job is worth doing, it is worth doing properly.
Если дело стоит делать, его стоит делать как следует.
It is not worth a rush.
Это гроша ломаного не стоит.
ещё 23 примера свернуть
Примеры, ожидающие перевода
The worth of the stocks has increased. 
Fort Worth is a neighbor of Dallas
I am milking this for all it’s worth
Для того чтобы добавить вариант перевода, кликните по иконке ☰, напротив примера.
Возможные однокоренные слова
worthless — бесполезный, никчемный, дрянной, никудышный, бесценный, матерный, херовый
worthy — достойный, заслуживающий, достойный человек, герой, особа
worthily — достойно, заслуженно
worthing — Уэртинг
“I’ve learnt that anything in life worth having comes from patience and hard work.”
Greg Behrendt, an American comedian and author
“Worth” is a very handy word, which is unfortunately often used wrong. The aim of this post is to help you learn everything about the word so that you can use “worth” correctly.
“WORTH” AS AN ADJECTIVE
If something is worth a particular amount of money, it can be sold for that amount or is considered to have that value:
The contract was worth £25 million a year.
Our house is worth about 600,000 Euros.
The computer market is worth billions of dollars.
This sculpture will be worth a fortune.
Please note that something that is worthless is of no real value or use. The opposite is priceless:
This is a worthless piece of old junk (it has no value in money). He made me feel stupid and worthless (unimportant).
These are the priceless treasures of the Royal Collection (they are very valuable). A trip round the world is a priceless opportunity (it’s very important).
If you say that something is worth having, you mean that it is pleasant or useful, and therefore a good thing to have. Of course, you can also say that something is worth seeing, doing, visiting, watching, etc.:
Most things worth having never come easy.
It’s not as good as his last book but it’s definitely worth reading.
The place is very beautiful and therefore worth visiting.
The film was definitely worth seeing.
If something is worth a particular action, or if an action is worth doing, it is considered to be important enough for that action:
I am spending a lot of money and time on this boat, but it is worth it.
This restaurant is well worth a visit. (it’s really worth a visit)
It was hard work, but it was worth it in the end.
Your plan is risky but it’s worth a try.
“WORTH” AS A NOUN
“Worth” combines with amounts of money, so that when you talk about a particular amount of money‘s worth of something, you mean the quantity of it that you can buy for that amount of money:
I put £2 worth of stamps on the letter. (I spent £2 on the stamps which I put on the letter)
Thieves smashed the shop window and stole $50,000 worth of computer equipment. (they stole computer equipment which could be sold for $50,000)
The hurricane caused $1,000,000 worth of damage. (it would cost $1,000,000 to repair the damage)
“Worth” combines with time expressions, so you can use it when you are saying how long an amount of something will last:
With this plan you’ve got an hour’s worth of free phone calls.
They’ve produced five hours’ worth of videos showing the glories of Scotland.
You’ve got three years’ worth of research money.
Someone’s worth is the value, usefulness, or importance that they are considered to have. This sounds quite formal:
He had never had a woman of her worth as a friend.
The United Nations has proved its worth over the years.
She’s finally proved her worth.
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS
- For all you are worth – if you do something for all you are worth, you put a lot of effort into it: We pushed the car for all we were worth, but we still couldn’t get it started. We both began waving to the crowd for all we were worth (with a lot of energy and enthusiasm).
- For all it is worth – if someone does something for all it is worth, they do it as much as possible and for as long as they can get benefit from it: Let’s exploit the idea for all it’s worth. We’d be crazy not to squeeze it for all it’s worth.
- For what it’s worth – used when you are telling someone something and you are not sure how useful it is. This is sometimes shown in emails as FWIW: That’s my opinion, for what it’s worth. For what it’s worth, I don’t think we can do anymore until we get more training.
- To be (well) worth your while – if an action or activity is worth someone’s while, it will be helpful, useful, or enjoyable for them if they do it, even though it requires some effort: It would be well worth your while to come to the meeting. It’s not worth their while when most of their profits go in taxes.
- To be worthwhile – if something is worthwhile, it is enjoyable or useful, and worth the time, money, or effort that is spent on it: It might be worthwhile to consider your attitude. This is a worthwhile project.
- To be worthy – a worthy person or thing has qualities that make people respect them: They are worthy members of the community. The money will go to a worthy cause. You can refer to worthy people as worthies: A group of local worthies began to plan their own exhibition. If a person or thing is worthy of something, they deserve it because they have the qualities or abilities required (formal language): The bank might think you’re worthy of a loan. Local councillors decided the plan was worthy of support.
- Self-worth – the feeling that you have good qualities and have achieved good things: Try not to link your sense of self-worth to the opinions of others. Praise helps children develop a sense of self-worth.
- To be not worth the paper it’s printed on – used for saying that something printed is not reliable and has no value: Due to the recent hyperinflation, the nation’s currency is now not worth the paper it’s printed on. The guarantees aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on.
- What’s it worth (to you)? (informal, humorous) – used for asking someone what reward they will give you if you do what they want: “Do you know where Dave’s living now?” “What’s it worth?” “Do you know where my watch is?” “Yes. What’s it worth to you? – What? Give me the watch!”
- To be worth your salt – to be respected by other people because you do your job well: Any teacher worth his/her salt is able to inspire his/her students. Any politician worth their salt will keep their campaign promises.
- To get your money’s worth – to feel that something you have got is worth the amount you paid for it: The fans get their money’s worth. Get there early to make sure you get your money’s worth.
- The game isn’t worth the candle – if you say that the game is not worth the candle, you mean that something is not worth the trouble or effort needed to achieve or obtain it (old-fashioned language): After trying to get permission to build the office for a whole year, we gave up, because the game was just not worth the candle. One point was that any solution that does not address Africa’s concerns is not worth the candle.
- To be worth your weight in gold – to be extremely useful or valuable: We have a team manager who’s worth his weight in gold. Any successful leader is worth his/her weight in gold.
- Your two cents’ worth (“your 2 pence worth” is British English) – your opinion about something: Please leave your two cents’ worth explaining your answer! Your father kept telling me to do that, but you know me, I had to put in my two cents’ worth.
- A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush – having something for certain is better than the possibility of getting something better: I might get a better offer, but a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Bill has offered to buy my car for $3,000 cash. Someone else might paymore, but a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.