“Master the difference: ‘It Worth It’ vs. ‘It Is Worth It’—understand proper grammar and avoid common mistakes!”
Knowing the difference between “it worth it” and “it is worth it” is crucial for proper English grammar. Many learners struggle to decide whether to include the verb “is” in such phrases. This grammar guide will break down the rules, explain the structure, and provide examples to clear up any confusion. By the end, you will confidently use these phrases in your writing and conversations without second-guessing yourself.
Improve your English skills today! This comprehensive guide explores grammar principles, examples, and tips for using “worth” effectively. Whether you’re a student, professional, or English enthusiast, understanding these expressions can enhance your communication and clarity. Follow along as we simplify complex rules into easy-to-follow steps.
English learners often make errors when using “worth” because they miss the role of auxiliary verbs like “is.” This post explains the importance of linking verbs, the distinction between “worth,” “worthy,” and “worthwhile,” and why phrases like “worth to do something” are always wrong. With clear examples and practical advice, you’ll become more fluent in expressing value and importance.
Understanding the Basics: “It Worth It” vs. “It Is Worth It”
The phrase “It Worth It” is grammatically incorrect because it lacks the verb “is,” which is necessary to form a complete sentence in English. Without the verb, the phrase is incomplete and unclear, making it ambiguous for the reader or listener.
On the other hand, “It Is Worth It” is grammatically correct. It includes the verb “is,” which connects the subject “it” to the predicate “worth it.” This phrase is clear and conveys a complete thought, indicating that something is valuable, beneficial, or deserving of effort or attention.
In essence, always use “It Is Worth It” to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy in your communication.
Examples:
- Correct: “This book is worth reading.”
- Incorrect: “This book worth reading.”
- Correct: “It is worth it to try again.”
The phrase “it is worth it” always requires the verb “is” because “worth” functions as an adjective, not a verb. Without “is,” the sentence becomes grammatically incomplete.
Exploring the Grammar: When to Use “Is” with Worth
The word “worth” functions as an adjective, describing value, merit, or importance. For the phrase to be grammatically correct and convey a complete thought, a linking verb like “is” is necessary to connect the subject to the descriptor.
Examples:
- Correct: “The movie is worth watching.”
- Incorrect: “The movie worth watching.”
- Correct: “Your time is worth more than money.”
Here, “is” serves as the linking verb that connects the subject and the predicate. Without it, the sentence lacks grammatical structure.
The Role of the Verb “To Be” in Worth Constructions
The verb “to be” plays a crucial role in constructions involving the word “worth” because it serves as the linking element that connects the subject to its description of value or merit. Without this verb, the sentence becomes incomplete or ungrammatical.
Examples:
- Correct: “This idea is worth exploring.”
- Incorrect: “This idea worth exploring.”
- Correct: “The journey is worth taking.”
The verb “to be” ensures that “worth” functions as an adjective describing the subject, providing completeness to the statement.
Are vs Were Understanding the Right Usage in Context
Examples of “It Is Worth It” in Action
Examples:
- Correct: “It is worth it to invest in education.”
- Incorrect: “It worth it to invest in education.”
- Correct: “The effort is worth it in the end.”
The phrase emphasizes value and importance, commonly used to motivate or justify actions.
Debunking Common Worth Usage Mistakes
Incorrect: “This movie worth watching.”
- Mistake: Missing the verb “is.”
- Correct Usage: “This movie is worth watching.”
- Explanation: The verb “is” is necessary to complete the sentence and convey the idea that the movie has value or merit.
Incorrect: “It was worth to wait.”
- Mistake: Using “to” after “worth.”
- Correct Usage: “It was worth waiting.”
- Explanation: After “worth,” we don’t need the infinitive “to.” Instead, we use the gerund form (“waiting”) to express the action.
Incorrect: “That task isn’t worth to do.”
- Mistake: Using “to do” after “worth.”
- Correct Usage: “That task isn’t worth doing.”
- Explanation: Similar to the previous example, “worth” is followed by the gerund form of the verb, not the infinitive.
Incorrect: “She is worth to be praised.”
- Mistake: Incorrect structure with “to be.”
- Correct Usage: “She is worth praising.”
- Explanation: After “worth,” we use the gerund form of the verb to show the action is valuable.
Incorrect: “It worth a try.”
- Mistake: Missing the verb “is.”
- Correct Usage: “It is worth a try.”
- Explanation: The verb “is” is essential to form a complete sentence and indicate that trying is valuable.
Why “Worth to Do Something” Is Always Incorrect
The phrase “worth to do something” is incorrect because the word “worth” functions as an adjective, not a verb, and should be followed by a gerund (the “-ing” form of a verb), not an infinitive (the “to” form). This is a key grammatical rule in English that helps maintain clarity and proper sentence structure.
Examples:
- Incorrect: “It is worth to try.”
- Correct: “It is worth trying.”
- Correct: “This book is worth reading.”
“Worth” does not require “to” before verbs; instead, use gerunds (verb + -ing).
Correct Use of Worth with Gerunds and Nouns
The word “worth” is used to indicate value, importance, or merit, and it can be followed by either a gerund (the “-ing” form of a verb) or a noun. Understanding how to use “worth” correctly with these structures ensures clarity and grammatical accuracy.
1. Worth + Gerund (Verb + -ing)
When “worth” is followed by a gerund, it expresses the value of doing a specific action or activity. The gerund acts as the object of the sentence.
- Correct Usage with Gerunds:
- “It is worth visiting that museum.”
- “This task is worth doing.”
- “The movie is worth watching again.”
In these examples, the gerund (“visiting,” “doing,” “watching”) describes the action that is considered valuable or worthwhile.
2. Worth + Noun
When “worth” is followed by a noun, it indicates the value or importance of the thing itself.
- Correct Usage with Nouns:
- “This painting is worth a lot of money.”
- “The book is worth reading.”
- “The new car is worth every penny.”
In these examples, the noun (“money,” “reading,” “penny”) is what holds the value or significance.
Why Gerunds and Nouns Work with “Worth”
- Gerunds describe actions that have value or merit (e.g., reading, visiting).
- Nouns describe things or concepts that are valued (e.g., money, books, cars).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Incorrect: “This book is worth to read.”
- Correct: “This book is worth reading.”
- Incorrect: “The task is worth to do.”
- Correct: “The task is worth doing.”
Examples:
- Correct: “This movie is worth watching.”
- Incorrect: “This movie is worth to watch.”
- Correct: “It’s worth visiting that place.”
Always pair “worth” with gerunds or nouns to form grammatically correct sentences.
Delving Into “Worth” as a Preposition and Its Usage
Examples:
- Correct: “The painting is worth $500.”
- Correct: “The risk is worth taking.”
- Correct: “The idea is worth considering.”
“Worth” functions as a preposition, connecting ideas and emphasizing value.
Comparing “Worth” with “Worthy”: When and How to Use Each
Aspect | Worth | Worthy |
Part of Speech | Noun / Adjective | Adjective |
Usage | Used to describe the value or merit of a thing or action. It is typically followed by a noun or a gerund. | Used to describe the quality of being deserving of something. It is typically followed by “of” and a noun. |
Followed By | Noun or gerund (verb + ing) | “Of” + noun |
Example with Noun | “The painting is worth a fortune.” | “She is worthy of praise.” |
Example with Gerund | “The task is worth doing.” | (Not used with gerunds) |
Meaning | Indicates value or merit of something. | Indicates deserving of something, often in a moral or personal sense. |
Context of Use | More commonly used for objects, actions, or things. | More commonly used for people or situations where someone deserves something. |
Sentence Structure | “It is worth doing.” or “It is worth the effort.” | “He is worthy of the honor.” |
When to Use “Worth”
- “Worth” is used when referring to the value or merit of something. It can be used with a noun or gerund.
- Example with a noun: “This painting is worth a lot.”
- Example with a gerund: “This task is worth doing.”
When to Use “Worthy”
- “Worthy” is used to describe a person, place, or thing that is deserving of something, and it is followed by “of” and a noun.
- Example: “He is worthy of the award.”
Examples:
- Worth: “The trip is worth taking.”
- Worthy: “She is worthy of respect.”
- Worthwhile: “Learning new skills is worthwhile.”
“Worth” relates to value, while “worthy” implies deservedness.
Distinguishing Between Value and Deservedness
The concepts of value and deservedness are closely related but have distinct meanings. They differ in how they describe the worth of something or someone and the conditions that determine that worth.
Value (Worth)
Value refers to the importance, usefulness, or monetary worth of something. It can be applied to objects, actions, or situations, and is often objective or measurable.
- Usage of Value (Worth):
- Describes the intrinsic or practical worth of something.
- Typically associated with things, actions, or objects.
- Often measurable (e.g., monetary value, effort, or importance).
- Example:
- “This book is worth reading.”
- “The time and energy spent on this project is worth the result.”
Deservedness (Worthy)
Deservedness refers to the quality of being deserving of something, often based on one’s actions, merits, or qualities. It is more subjective and is often associated with moral, ethical, or personal qualities.
- Usage of Deservedness (Worthy):
- Describes moral or ethical worth—whether someone or something is deserving of something based on their actions or qualities.
- Typically applied to people or situations, rather than things or actions.
- More subjective, based on judgment or perception.
- Example:
- “She is worthy of the award because of her hard work.”
- “He is worthy of the respect he receives.”
Common Collocations with “Worth”
Examples:
- “Worth considering”
- “Worth the effort”
- “Worth a try”
Collocations make phrases natural and fluent.
The Meaning and Implications of “Worth It” in Sentences
Examples:
- Correct: “It’s worth it to invest time in learning.”
- Correct: “The experience was worth it.”
- Correct: “Was it worth it? Yes, absolutely!”
Emphasizes the value and impact of actions or decisions.
Key Insight
- Is “it worth it” correct?
- No, it must include “is” as in “It is worth it.”
- Can “worth” be followed by “to”?
- No, “worth” should be followed by gerunds or nouns.
- What’s the difference between “worth” and “worthy”?
- “Worth” refers to value, while “worthy” implies deservedness.
- When should I use “worthwhile”?
- Use it when an action is rewarding, e.g., “Learning English is worthwhile.”
- Can “worth” stand alone?
- No, it requires a linking verb like “is.”
Conclusion
Understanding whether to use “it worth it” or “it is worth it” can make a big difference in mastering English grammar. The correct phrase—”it is worth it”—emphasizes value, importance, and effort effectively.
By remembering to include the verb “is,” using gerunds after “worth,” and avoiding unnecessary “to,” you can ensure grammatical accuracy. Apply these rules to communicate clearly and confidently in both writing and speech. Practice the examples provided, and soon you’ll be using these expressions naturally!

Hi, I’m Ethan Matthews: I make English easy with my clear and simple teaching style. I love helping learners feel confident in every lesson.