It Worth It vs It Is Worth It Which One Is Correct? (Updated for 2026)

If you’ve ever paused while writing a sentence like “it worth it to study” and wondered whether it sounds right, you’re not alone. This confusion is extremely common among students, ESL learners, writers, and even fluent speakers. The difference between “it worth it” and “it is worth it” may look small, but grammatically and stylistically, it matters a lot.

In everyday conversations, people often shorten phrases while speaking—but writing follows clearer rules. From real-life teaching experience, I’ve seen this exact mistake repeatedly in essays, exams, captions, and emails. In this complete guide, we’ll break everything down in simple English, with clear rules, comparisons, examples, and practical tips—so you’ll never be confused again.

What Is “It Is Worth It”? (Simple Definition)

“It is worth it” is the grammatically correct and complete English expression.

It means:

Something has enough value, benefit, or importance to justify the effort, cost, time, or pain.

Basic Structure

It + is + worth + noun / verb (-ing)

Simple Examples

It is worth it to study every day.
→ Studying gives benefits, so the effort is justified.
The trip was expensive, but it is worth it.
→ The experience is valuable.

👉 Key rule:
The verb “is” is required. Without it, the sentence is incomplete.

What Does “It Worth It” Mean?

“It worth it” is NOT grammatically correct in standard English.

This phrase:

❌ misses a verb
❌ sounds broken in writing
❌ should not be used in exams, essays, or professional work

However, there’s an important detail many learners miss.

Why Do People Say “It Worth It” in Speech?

In casual spoken English, especially:

Fast conversations
Informal chats
Social media comments

People sometimes drop the verb “is” when speaking quickly.

Example (Spoken, Informal)

“You think it worth it?”

This may sound natural in speech, but:

⚠️ It is still incorrect in writing.

As an English educator, I always advise:

If you can hear it but shouldn’t write it—avoid it.

It Worth It vs It Is Worth It (Side-by-Side Comparison)

Feature	It Worth It	It Is Worth It
Grammatically correct	❌ No	✅ Yes
Acceptable in writing	❌ No	✅ Yes
Acceptable in exams	❌ Never	✅ Always
Used in speech	⚠️ Informally	✅ Naturally
Professional English	❌ No	✅ Yes

Why “It Is” Is Mandatory in English Sentences

English sentences must have a verb.

“It” → subject
“Is” → linking verb
“Worth” → adjective

Without “is”, the sentence has no verb, which breaks grammar rules.

Broken Sentence

❌ It worth it.

Correct Sentence

✅ It is worth it.

How “Worth” Works in English Grammar

The word “worth” behaves like an adjective and always needs a verb before it.

Common Patterns

Worth + noun
It is worth the effort.
Worth + verb (-ing)
It is worth trying.
Worth + amount
The phone is worth $500.

Examples of “It Is Worth It” in Everyday Life

In everyday conversations, people often use “it is worth it” to express satisfaction or encouragement.

Real-Life Examples

Learning English is hard, but it is worth it.
The workout hurts now, but it is worth it.
That movie is long, yet it is worth it.

Each sentence shows that the result is better than the effort.

Is “It Worth It” Ever Acceptable?

Short Answer: ❌ No (in writing)

But let’s be realistic.

Spoken English → people shorten
Written English → rules matter

From real-life writing experience, editors and teachers always mark “it worth it” as incorrect.

It Is Worth It vs It Was Worth It

Tense also matters.

Present

It is worth it.
(Still valuable now)

Past

It was worth it.
(Valuable in the past)

❌ It worth it does not work in any tense.

Using “Worth It” in Questions (Correct Way)

Many learners make mistakes when asking questions.

Correct Questions

Is it worth it to buy this phone?
Was it worth it to wait so long?

Incorrect

❌ It worth it to buy this phone?

How to Use “It Is Worth It” in Essays and Exams

Teachers and examiners expect complete grammar.

Exam-Safe Examples

It is worth it to invest time in education.
Although difficult, the task is worth it.

💡 Tip for students:
If unsure, always write “it is” fully.

“Worth It” in Formal vs Informal Writing

Formal Writing

Academic essays
Emails
Reports

✅ It is worth it
❌ It worth it

Informal Writing

Chats
Captions

Even here, correct grammar builds credibility.

How to Create Correct Sentences With “Worth It”

Follow this simple formula:

Subject + is/was + worth + object

Practice

The book is worth reading.
The job was worth the risk.

Common Mistakes People Make With “Worth It”

Dropping “is”
Using “to” instead of “-ing” incorrectly
Mixing tense incorrectly
Writing spoken shortcuts

30+ Common “Worth It” Examples (With Meanings & Explanations)

Below are 35 practical examples, each explained briefly.

It is worth it to study daily.
→ Daily study brings long-term benefits.
The journey is worth it.
→ The experience is valuable.
It was worth it to help her.
→ Helping gave positive results.
This course is worth the money.
→ The value matches the cost.
It is worth trying again.
→ Another attempt may succeed.
The pain was worth it.
→ The outcome justified discomfort.
Is it worth it to argue?
→ Questioning value of conflict.
The movie is worth watching.
→ It is enjoyable or meaningful.
It is worth your time.
→ Time spent will benefit you.
It wasn’t worth it.
→ The result disappointed.
This skill is worth learning.
→ Useful in the future.
The effort is worth it.
→ Hard work pays off.
Is the risk worth it?
→ Evaluating danger vs reward.
The wait was worth it.
→ Waiting had a good result.
It is worth every penny.
→ Extremely valuable.
This book is worth reading twice.
→ High quality content.
It’s worth it in the end.
→ Final result matters.
The sacrifice was worth it.
→ Loss led to gain.
Is it worth changing jobs?
→ Career decision question.
The lesson is worth remembering.
→ Important learning.
It is worth the effort.
→ Effort brings benefit.
That experience was worth it.
→ Positive outcome.
Is it really worth it?
→ Strong evaluation.
The challenge is worth facing.
→ Growth opportunity.
It is worth discussing.
→ Topic has importance.
The risk wasn’t worth it.
→ Negative outcome.
This habit is worth building.
→ Long-term benefit.
The trip was worth it.
→ Enjoyable journey.
It is worth every effort.
→ Strong approval.
The struggle was worth it.
→ Success followed hardship.
Is it worth upgrading?
→ Cost-benefit question.
The class is worth attending.
→ Educational value.
It’s worth your attention.
→ Important matter.
The risk may be worth it.
→ Possible benefit.
It is worth doing properly.
→ Quality matters.

Using “Worth It” in Captions & Social Media

Modern examples (2025-friendly):

Late nights, early mornings—worth it.
Hard work now, success later. It is worth it.

💡 Tip:
Even in captions, full grammar looks more confident.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is “it worth it” grammatically correct?

No. It is incomplete without a verb.

Why do people still say “it worth it”?

Because spoken English often drops small words.

Can I use “it worth it” in exams?

Never. Always use “it is worth it.”

Is “worth it” formal or informal?

Neutral—acceptable in both, with correct grammar.

Conclusion

To sum it up clearly:
👉 “It is worth it” is correct English.
👉 “It worth it” is grammatically wrong in writing.

Understanding this difference improves your grammar, writing confidence, and exam performance. Whether you’re writing essays, captions, emails, or speaking professionally, always include the verb “is.”

Updated for 2026, this rule remains firm:
Good English is clear, complete, and confident.

Practice using “it is worth it” correctly—and your writing will always be worth it too