What is valuable? Pronunciation and usage in English

Let's break down how to use the word "valuable" in English. It's a versatile word with several ways to employ it effectively.

1. Core Meaning: Worthy of Value

At its simplest, "valuable" means something is worth a lot – not just in terms of money, but also in terms of importance, usefulness, or benefit.

2. Common Ways to Use "Valuable"

Here's a breakdown with examples:

• Referring to Monetary Worth: This is the most common usage.

  • "This antique watch is valuable because it's from the 19th century." (Worth a lot of money)
  • "The company invested heavily in research and development, hoping to create valuable products." (Worth a lot in terms of investment)
  • “The gold is valuable for its rarity."

• Referring to Importance or Usefulness:

  • “Experience is often more valuable than formal education.” (Important and beneficial)
  • “That piece of advice was valuable to me during a difficult time.” (Helpful and worthwhile)
  • "She has valuable skills in marketing." (Useful skills)
  • “Strong relationships are valuable assets in life.” (Important for well-being)

• Referring to Qualities (e.g., a person's character):

  • “He’s a valuable member of the team – always willing to help.” (A positive and useful quality)
  • "She's a valuable source of support for her family." (Provides important support)

• Describing Data or Information:

  • "This research provides valuable insights into consumer behavior." (Important information)
  • "The database contains valuable historical records.” (Important records)

3. Grammatical Usage

• Adjective: "Valuable" is almost always used as an adjective – it describes a noun. (e.g., "a valuable book," "valuable information")

• Noun (Less Common): It can be used as a noun, referring to something that has value.

  • "He saw the value in investing early." (Here, “value” is the noun form, similar in meaning to "valuable")

4. Synonyms

Knowing synonyms can help you vary your language. Here are some:

• Worthwhile
• Priceless
• Important
• Beneficial
• Significant
• Treasured
• Notable

5. Examples in Sentences (Combining Different Usages)

• “The museum’s collection holds valuable artifacts from different cultures.” (Both monetary and cultural importance)
• “Developing empathy is a valuable life skill.” (Importance and usefulness)
• “Her kindness is valuable to anyone who meets her.” (Character quality)

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

• What kind of context are you using "valuable" in? (e.g., business, personal writing, casual conversation?)
• Can you give me an example sentence you're trying to improve?