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Usage Entry 1050 / 1350 60-second read

Worth vs. Worthwhile

A preposition versus an adjective.

The comparisoni

✗ Wrong

This meeting was worth.

✓ Correct

This meeting was worthwhile.

The ruleii

WORTH needs an object. WORTHWHILE stands alone.

WORTH is a preposition — it needs a noun after it (worth the wait, worth doing). WORTHWHILE is an adjective — it can stand alone (a worthwhile cause, the trip was worthwhile).

Memory aidiii

Remember it like this

"Worth" alone feels clipped — use "worthwhile."

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