If you have ever typed it worth it and then wondered whether something was missing, you are dealing with one of the more common grammar mistakes in casual English. This short phrase shows up constantly in everyday conversation, yet many people accidentally drop a necessary word when writing or speaking quickly. Here is a complete breakdown of how to use worth it correctly.
Is It Worth It or It Is Worth It
The correct, grammatically complete phrase is it is worth it. Simply saying it worth it, without the verb is, is grammatically incomplete and considered incorrect in standard English.
Quick Definition
| Phrase | Correct or Incorrect |
|---|---|
| It is worth it | Correct |
| It worth it | Incorrect, missing the verb |
Example
Correct: “The trip was expensive, but it is worth it”
Incorrect: “The trip was expensive, but it worth it”
Why the Verb Is Cannot Be Skipped
English sentences require a verb to function correctly, and worth functions as an adjective rather than a verb. Without the linking verb is, the sentence is missing an essential grammatical component.
| Word | Part of Speech |
|---|---|
| It | Pronoun |
| Is | Linking verb |
| Worth | Adjective |
| It | Pronoun (object) |
Because worth cannot function as a verb on its own, the sentence needs is to properly connect the subject to the description, forming a complete and grammatically correct thought.
Why This Mistake Happens So Often
The confusion largely comes from casual spoken English, where contractions and quick speech patterns often blur or shorten words, making it sound like the verb has disappeared entirely.
| Spoken Version | Written Correct Version |
|---|---|
| “It’s worth it” | “It is worth it” |
When people say it’s worth it quickly, especially in casual conversation, the contraction can sound like it worth it if spoken fast enough, leading some writers to accidentally drop the verb entirely when typing.
Understanding the Contraction It’s
It is important to recognize that it’s is a contraction of it is, not a separate, standalone phrase.
| Full Form | Contraction |
|---|---|
| It is | It’s |
Example Sentences
- “It’s worth it” (correct, using the contraction)
- “It is worth it” (correct, using the full form)
- “It worth it” (incorrect, missing the verb entirely)
Both it’s worth it and it is worth it are grammatically correct, while it worth it is not, since it eliminates the necessary linking verb altogether.
What Does Worth It Mean
Beyond the grammar itself, it helps to understand the actual meaning of the phrase.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Worth it | Something is valuable enough to justify the cost, effort, or risk involved |
Example Sentences
- “The long hike was tiring, but the view was worth it”
- “Despite the cost, the vacation was worth it”
- “It took months of practice, but it was worth it in the end”
Correct Usage in Different Tenses
The phrase worth it can shift slightly depending on tense, though the core structure remains the same.
| Tense | Example |
|---|---|
| Present | “It is worth it” |
| Past | “It was worth it” |
| Future | “It will be worth it” |
| Conditional | “It would be worth it” |
Example Sentences
- “This investment is worth it”
- “That decision was worth it in the long run”
- “I believe this opportunity will be worth it”
- “It would be worth it to wait a little longer”
Common Sentence Structures Using Worth It
Worth it frequently appears in a variety of everyday sentence patterns.
As a Statement
- “It is worth it”
- “It was definitely worth it”
As a Question
- “Is it worth it”
- “Was that trip worth it”
As Part of a Larger Sentence
- “Even though it was expensive, it was worth it”
- “I’m not sure if it’s worth it anymore”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake One: Dropping the Verb Entirely
Incorrect: “It worth it” Correct: “It is worth it” or “It’s worth it”
Mistake Two: Misplacing Worth It in a Sentence
Incorrect: “Worth it is the trip” Correct: “The trip is worth it”
Mistake Three: Forgetting Subject Verb Agreement in Related Sentences
Incorrect: “They was worth it” Correct: “They were worth it”
Since worth it can apply to plural subjects as well, the verb must still agree properly.
Example: “The sacrifices were worth it”
Worth It With Different Subjects
The phrase adjusts slightly depending on whether the subject is singular or plural.
| Subject | Correct Form |
|---|---|
| It | It is worth it |
| They | They are worth it |
| He | He is worth it |
| We | We are worth it |
| I | I am worth it |
Example Sentences
- “This project is worth it”
- “These changes are worth it”
- “She is worth it, without question”
- “We are worth the effort it took”
Worth It in Casual vs Formal Writing
Both is worth it and its contraction it’s worth it are acceptable in different types of writing, though formality slightly affects word choice.
| Setting | Preferred Form |
|---|---|
| Casual conversation | It’s worth it |
| Formal writing | It is worth it |
| Text messages | Either form is common |
| Academic or professional writing | It is worth it (avoiding contractions) |
Similar Phrases That Follow the Same Rule
Several other common English phrases follow this exact same grammatical pattern, requiring is or another linking verb rather than being dropped.
| Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
| “It fun” | “It is fun” |
| “It important” | “It is important” |
| “It ready” | “It is ready” |
| “It worth it” | “It is worth it” |
Recognizing this broader pattern can help avoid similar mistakes with other adjective based phrases.
Quick Reference Table
| Phrase | Correct or Incorrect | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| It is worth it | Correct | Full, formal form |
| It’s worth it | Correct | Common contraction |
| It worth it | Incorrect | Missing necessary verb |
| Is it worth it | Correct | Question form |
Why This Distinction Matters
While it worth it might be understood in casual speech due to context, using the grammatically complete form, it is worth it or it’s worth it, remains important for clear, professional, and accurate writing, particularly in emails, essays, and formal communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it correct to say it worth it? No, it worth it is grammatically incomplete. The correct forms are it is worth it or the contraction it’s worth it.
What is the difference between it is worth it and it’s worth it? There is no difference in meaning. It’s worth it is simply the contracted form of it is worth it, and both are grammatically correct.
Why do people often say it worth it instead of it’s worth it? This usually happens due to fast, casual speech patterns where the verb is gets blended into the contraction and sometimes dropped entirely when writing.
Can worth it be used with subjects other than it? Yes, the phrase adjusts based on subject and verb agreement, such as they are worth it, she is worth it, or we are worth it.
Should I use it is worth it or it’s worth it in professional writing? It is worth it is generally preferred in formal writing, while it’s worth it works well in casual or conversational contexts.
Final Thoughts
When deciding between it worth it and it is worth it, the grammatically correct choice is always to include the verb is, either in its full form or as the contraction it’s. Simply saying it worth it leaves the sentence incomplete, missing the essential linking verb needed to connect the subject to its description. Whether you are writing casually or formally, remembering to include is ensures your sentences stay clear, correct, and grammatically sound.
