What’s the right way to use the phrase it is worth? Which of the following two approaches is right, and how they are different?
- It is worth mentioning that [. . .]
- It is worth to mention that [. . .]
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3Worth can take a gerund complement, but not an infinitive complement. Hence (1) is OK, but (2) isn't. – John Lawler Aug 10 '15 at 21:31
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2However, worth it can take an infinitive complement. It's worth it to consider the price carefully before you commit yourself But not *It's worth to consider the price carefully before you commit yourself. – John Lawler Aug 10 '15 at 22:47
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Related. – tchrist Dec 26 '22 at 16:39
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The first example, "it is worth mentioning that", is acceptable. The second, "it is worth to mention that", is incorrect. One might correct it by saying:
It is worth it to mention that...
Though this is a very awkward construction. A better version might be:
It is worthwhile to mention that...
As to why these particular constructions are acceptable and the others are not, I admit that I'm having a hard time figuring that out myself. I'm not even completely sure what part of speech "worth" is in each of those phrases.
Doug Warren
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