"It worths it", "it worth it" or "it is worth it"?

Question

Which one is correct and why?

I think "worth it" is an adjective phrase. So what is "worth" then?

Example:

You should try spending money on her. It worths it.

You should try spending money on her. It worth it.

You should try spending money on her. It is worth it.

Which one is right? The last 2 are not condemned by grammar checker.

Please give us some more context. How is the phrase being used (in a complete sentence)? I believe worths is a word only in the fact that it's the plural of the noun worth. — JLG, Jun 02 '12 at 14:16

score 92 · Accepted Answer · answered Jun 02 '12 at 14:20

92

Worth as a verb is obsolete. Where have you seen or heard It worths it or It worth it?

What you will find is It’s worth it, used to describe something that has a value equivalent to what is being asked for it either in terms of money or effort. In that use, worth is an adjective.

answered Jun 02 '12 at 14:20

Barrie England

140,205

I see. Worth it is an adjective phrase. What is "worth" by itself then? Combined with it, it becomes an adjective. – user4951 Jun 02 '12 at 14:21
2

I think it's worth it sounds a lot like it worth it. I think that's where the confusion is. – user4951 Jun 02 '12 at 14:22
4

'Worth' can be both an adjective and a noun. – Barrie England Jun 02 '12 at 14:25
this stuff worths $6000? – user4951 Feb 03 '14 at 08:46
No, you can't say that. – Barrie England Feb 03 '14 at 09:21
2

And how would you say that? – Kamafeather May 19 '15 at 12:10
You'd say that: This stuff is worth $6000 – revo Oct 13 '15 at 07:04
Why does it have the word "it" in the end? Can I just say "It is worth"? – Everton Lenger Sep 28 '16 at 13:40

score 36 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 02 '12 at 20:26

36

Only the last one is correct.

"Worth" is classified as an Adjective and used as one. (Although it also acts differently from all of the Adjectives.)

In your particular example, "worth" is used as an Adjective but acts as a Preposition. That's why it's normally followed by a Noun, a Pronoun or a Gerund.

Ex.

It's worth a try.

It's worth it.

It's worth trying.

answered Jun 02 '12 at 20:26

Cool Elf

9,834

You say::: "worth" is used as an Adjective but acts as a Preposition. That's why it's normally followed by a Noun, a Pronoun or a Gerund.<<< Please give an example of worth used as an adjective followed by a noun? Sure it is an adj, but my OED says "not before by a noun". I hope this comment is worthy of the space here, worthwhile?!! – Vali Jamal Feb 23 '21 at 23:31

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Feb 03 '14 at 00:03

0

What you will find is worth it, used to describe something that has a value equivalent to what is being asked for it either in terms of money or effort. In that use, worth is an adjective.

answered Feb 03 '14 at 00:03

user64505

1

score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Mar 25 '14 at 23:11

If you're having trouble understanding this, then look at 'worth' as 'having value.' then: It's worth a try. is equivalent to (but NOT replaceable by) It has value to try OR There is value in trying

It's worth it. is equivalent to (but NOT replaceable by) It has value (roughly equivalent value).

It's worth trying. is equivalent to (but NOT replaceable by) It has value to try OR there is value in trying

score 0 · Answer 5 · answered Feb 23 '21 at 23:41

The question is worthy of an answer. Is it an adjective, then it should have a noun following. It is suggested it could be used as a verb. English language does evolve in that direction. Would >>The question worths a response<< work? Worths=merits? Eccentric but could pass with a [sic]. The spell-check has lighted up. Grammar-check?

score -1 · Answer 6 · answered Jul 28 '14 at 05:12

-1

"It doesn't worth it." is very common.

So as, "It worths every penny of it.", do you agree?

"It's worth it" sounds very very strange.

Why can't we simply use worth as a verb? Just keep it simple.

answered Jul 28 '14 at 05:12

rockyliu

11

1

Not only is it certainly not “very common”, there is simply no such thing as “It doesn’t worth it.” This is a made-up answer claiming something that does not exist does. Worth is no longer a verb. It is a very strange word, I admit, in that it appears to be an adjective that takes an object complement, or perhaps some bizarre form of preposition. But whatever it is, it is not a verb. – tchrist Jul 28 '14 at 05:19
@rockyliu - This sounds strange even to me, a non-native English speaker :) – Honza Zidek Jul 28 '14 at 07:30

"It worths it", "it worth it" or "it is worth it"?

6 Answers6