Have you ever come across the words “worthen” and “worthed” and wondered which one is correct to use? Well, wonder no more! In this article, we will dive into the meaning and proper usage of these two words.
We should answer the question at hand. Is it “worthen” or “worthed”? The answer is both! However, the usage of each word differs.
When we use the word “worthen”, we are referring to the act of making something worthy or adding value to it. On the other hand, “worthed” is the past tense of “worth” and is used to describe something that had value in the past.
Now that we have established the meanings of these two words, let’s explore their usage in more detail.
Define Worthen
Worthen is a verb that is used in Old English and Middle English, meaning to become, be, or make worthy. It is an archaic form of the word ‘worth’ and is no longer commonly used in modern English. The past tense of worthen is ‘worthed’.
Define Worthed
Worthed is the past tense of worthen, which is an archaic form of the word ‘worth’. It means to have been made or deemed worthy. The word ‘worthed’ is rarely used in modern English and has been replaced with the more commonly used past tense form of ‘worth’, which is ‘worthed’.
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
Using the right word in a sentence is crucial to ensure effective communication. In this section, we will discuss how to properly use the words “worthen” and “worthed” in a sentence.
How To Use “Worthen” In A Sentence
The word “worthen” is an archaic term that is rarely used in modern English. It is the past participle of the verb “worth,” which means to have a particular value or be deserving of something. When using “worthen” in a sentence, it is essential to ensure that the context is appropriate and that it does not sound outdated or awkward.
Here are a few examples of how to use “worthen” in a sentence:
- After hours of negotiation, the deal was finally worthen.
- The antique vase was worthen more than its weight in gold.
- His efforts were worthen the recognition he received.
It is important to note that the word “worthen” is not commonly used in modern English and may sound archaic or outdated in some contexts. In most cases, it is better to use the word “worth” instead.
How To Use “Worthed” In A Sentence
The word “worthed” is the past tense and past participle of the verb “worth,” which means to have a particular value or be deserving of something. It is a more commonly used term than “worthen” and can be used in a variety of contexts.
Here are a few examples of how to use “worthed” in a sentence:
- She worthed every penny of her salary.
- The investment worthed the risk.
- His hard work and dedication worthed the promotion he received.
It is important to note that the word “worthed” is not as commonly used as the word “worth,” and it may sound awkward or outdated in some contexts. In most cases, it is better to use the word “worth” instead.
More Examples Of Worthen & Worthed Used In Sentences
In order to better understand the usage of the words “worthen” and “worthed,” let’s take a look at some examples of how they can be used in a sentence.
Examples Of Using “Worthen” In A Sentence
- After the renovation, the house was worthen twice its original value.
- The investment in the stock market worthen significantly over the past year.
- She realized the importance of education and decided to worthen her knowledge by pursuing a degree.
- The company’s profits worthen after implementing a new marketing strategy.
- The antique vase worthen in value after it was appraised by an expert.
- He believed that the experience of traveling was worthen the cost.
- The athlete’s performance worthen after months of training with a new coach.
- The quality of the product worthen after the manufacturer made some improvements.
- She felt that her time was worthen by the valuable lessons she learned from the workshop.
- The value of the property worthen after the addition of a swimming pool.
Examples Of Using “Worthed” In A Sentence
- The effort he put into his work worthed the recognition he received from his boss.
- She worthed the trust of her clients by always delivering on her promises.
- The money he spent on the concert tickets worthed the unforgettable experience.
- The company’s decision to invest in new technology worthed the increase in productivity.
- She believed that the sacrifices she made for her family worthed the happiness they brought her.
- The time and effort she put into her hobby worthed the sense of fulfillment she felt.
- The risks he took in his business worthed the success he achieved.
- The investment in the education of their employees worthed the improvement in performance.
- The feedback she received from her mentor worthed the time and effort she spent on the project.
- The satisfaction of completing the marathon worthed the months of training and preparation.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to using the words worthen and worthed, there are some common mistakes that people tend to make. These errors can lead to confusion and misunderstanding, so it’s important to be aware of them. Here are some of the most common mistakes to avoid:
Using Worthen And Worthed Interchangeably
One of the most common mistakes people make is using worthen and worthed interchangeably. While these words may seem similar, they have different meanings and uses.
Worthen is the past participle of the verb worth, which means to have a certain value. For example, “The painting is worth a lot of money.” Worthen is used to indicate that something was valued or considered to be of a certain worth in the past. For example, “The painting was worth a lot of money when it was first purchased.”
Worthed, on the other hand, is not a word that exists in standard English. While it may be used in some dialects or informal contexts, it is not considered a correct or acceptable form of the word worth.
Confusing Worthen With Worsen
Another common mistake is confusing worthen with worsen. While these words may sound similar, they have completely different meanings.
Worsen means to make something worse or more difficult. For example, “The weather is going to worsen over the next few days.” Worthen, as previously mentioned, means to have a certain value.
Using Worthen As A Present Tense Verb
Finally, some people make the mistake of using worthen as a present tense verb. However, worthen is a past participle and cannot be used in this way.
The present tense form of the verb worth is worths. For example, “This painting is worth a lot of money.”
Tips For Avoiding These Mistakes
- Take the time to learn the correct meanings and uses of worthen and worthed.
- Double-check your writing to ensure that you are using the correct form of the word.
- Use a dictionary or grammar guide to help you if you are unsure.
Context Matters
When it comes to using the words “worthen” and “worthed,” context is key. The choice between the two can depend on the specific situation or context in which they are being used.
Examples Of Different Contexts
Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “worthen” and “worthed” might change:
| Context | Example Sentence | Correct Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Present Tense | “The book is worthed at $20.” | “Worthed” is incorrect in this context. The correct usage would be “The book is worth $20.” |
| Past Tense | “Yesterday, the book worthened by $5.” | “Worthened” is incorrect in this context. The correct usage would be “Yesterday, the book was worth $5 more.” |
| Comparative | “The newer model is worthen more than the older one.” | “Worthen” is correct in this context, as it is being used to compare the value of two items. |
| Conditional | “If the repairs are worthen the cost, then we will go ahead with them.” | “Worthen” is correct in this context, as it is being used to describe the value of the repairs compared to their cost. |
As you can see, the choice between “worthen” and “worthed” can vary depending on the specific context in which they are being used. It’s important to understand the nuances of each word in order to use them correctly and effectively in your writing.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the rules for using “worthen” and “worthed” are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to keep in mind. Here are a few situations where the standard rules may not apply:
1. Passive Voice
In passive voice constructions, the past participle “worthed” is often preferred over “worthen.” This is because “worthed” sounds more natural and idiomatic in this context. For example:
- “The painting was worthed at $10,000.”
- “The car was worthed more than we expected.”
Note that in these examples, “worthed” is used as an adjective to describe the value or worth of the painting and car, respectively.
2. Regional Variations
Depending on the region or dialect, “worthen” and “worthed” may be used differently or interchangeably. For instance, in some parts of the United States, “worthed” is rarely used, and “worthen” is the preferred past participle form. In other regions, the opposite may be true. It’s important to be aware of these variations when communicating with people from different areas.
3. Creative Writing
In creative writing, authors may choose to use “worthen” or “worthed” for stylistic purposes. For example, an author might use “worthen” to create a sense of archaic or old-fashioned language, or “worthed” to create a more modern or informal tone. These choices are often made for artistic reasons and may not follow the standard rules of grammar and usage.
Overall, while the rules for using “worthen” and “worthed” are generally straightforward, it’s important to keep in mind these exceptions. By understanding these nuances, you can communicate more effectively and confidently in a variety of contexts.
Practice Exercises
One of the best ways to improve your understanding and use of worthen and worthed is through practice exercises. Here are some exercises to help you:
Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank
Fill in the blank with either worthen or worthed:
- She __________ her time by watching TV all day.
- The painting was __________ more than the artist had anticipated.
- He had __________ his weightlifting routine to include more cardio.
- The concert was __________ the long wait in line.
Answer Key:
- worthed
- worthed
- worthen
- worthed
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct word to complete each sentence:
- He had __________ his time by playing video games all day.
- a) worthen
- b) worthed
- a) worthen
- b) worthed
- a) worthen
- b) worthed
- a) worthen
- b) worthed
Answer Key:
- b) worthed
- b) worthed
- a) worthen
- b) worthed
By practicing these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of worthen and worthed in sentences. Remember to pay attention to the context of the sentence to determine which word to use.
Conclusion
After examining the usage of “worthen” and “worthed,” it is clear that “worthed” is the correct past tense form of “worth.” While “worthen” was once used in Old English, it has since fallen out of use and is considered archaic.
It is important to understand proper grammar and language use in order to effectively communicate and avoid confusion. While some may argue that language is constantly evolving and rules can be broken, it is still important to have a solid foundation in grammar and usage.
By continuing to learn and improve our language skills, we can better express ourselves and connect with others.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.