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worth the time
/wɜːrθ ðə taɪm/
justifies the effort spent
Reading this classic novel is definitely worth the time.
The value gained from reading the book justifies the hours spent doing so.
general
Having sufficient value or benefit to justify the duration or effort required to complete an activity.
Is the long commute worth the time if you get a better salary?
Does the higher pay justify the hours spent traveling to work?
Learning a new skill is always worth the time in the long run.
The long-term benefits of acquiring a new skill justify the initial time investment.
Often used in questions or negative constructions to evaluate cost-benefit ratios regarding time.
Collocations
is it worth the time?questioning the value of an activitynot worth the timea waste of timeworth the time and effortjustifies both duration and energy
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Usage in Questions
Use 'Is it worth the time?' to politely ask if an activity is valuable before committing to it. Example: 'Is it worth the time to wait in line for this restaurant?'
Gold Rule
Subject-Verb Agreement
Ensure the subject matches the verb. 'The task is worth the time' (singular) vs. 'These tasks are worth the time' (plural).
Word Origin
Derived from the adjective 'worth' (Old English 'weorth', meaning value or price) combined with the noun 'time'. The structure follows the standard English pattern of 'worth + [noun]' to indicate equivalence in value.
Usage Notes
This phrase is commonly used to evaluate whether an activity yields positive results relative to the time invested. It is often contrasted with 'a waste of time'. It can apply to tasks, hobbies, relationships, or investments.
Word Breakdown
worth
having value equal to
rootthe
definite article
articletime
duration or period
rootEnglish Dictionary