一、从句法功能上看
从句法功能上看:
worth 通常只用作表语,不用于名词前作定语;
worthy 和 worthwhile 可用作表语和定语。如:
This second-hand car is worth $2000 at the most.
The exhibition is worth a visit/visiting.
It isn‘t worth the trouble. 不值得费那个事。
This phenomenon is worthy of being studied.这种现象值得研究。
That is worthy of note.那件事值得注意。
He is a worthy gentleman. 他是位值得尊敬的绅士。
His behavior is worthy of great praise. 他的行为值得高度赞扬。
They achieved a very worthwhile result. 他们取得了很有价值的成果。
We had a long wait, but it was worthwhile because we got the tickets. 我们等了很久,但还算值得,因为我们把票买到了。
二、从所使用的修饰语来看
worth 习惯上不用 very 修饰(要表示类似意思可用 well),而 worthy 和 worthwhile 则可以用副词very修饰。如:
That is very worthy of our attention. 那件事很值得我们注意。
Nursing is a very worthwhile career. 护理工作是很值得干的职业。
但习惯上不说:The work is very worth doing. (very 应改为 well)。
三、从搭配习惯来看
有关 be worth 的搭配习惯
(1) be worth后可直接跟名词、代词或动名词。如:
The picture is worth $ 500. 这幅画值500 美元。
The clock is hardly worth repairing. 这台钟简直不值得修理。
What is worth doing is worth doing well. 值得干的事就得干好。
注意:其后可接动名词,不能接不定式,且接动名词时,总是用主动形式表示被动意义。
(2) 在现代英语中,在be worth前使用形式主语it被认为是合习惯的。如:
It isn‘t worth repairing the car. 这辆汽车不值得修了。
Is it worth visiting the city? 这个城市值得去看吗?
但是,若不用形式主语it而直接用动名词作主语则是错误的,如:误:Repairing the car is worth.
(3) 在be worth doing 结构中,除非句首用了形式主语it,否则句子主语总应是其动名词的逻辑宾语;若其中的动词不及物,应考虑加上适当的介词。如:Nothing he said was worth listening to. 他说的话没有一句值得听。
She’s not worth getting angry with. 犯不上跟她生气。
2. 有关 be worthy 的搭配习惯
(1) be worthy 后不能直接跟名词、代词或动名词,若要接,应借助介词 of.如:Their efforts are worthy of your support. 他们的努力应得到你的支持。 Her behavior is worthy of praise. 她的行为是值得赞扬的。
(2) 与be worth后只接动名词不接不定式不同,be worthy后不接动名词,而接不定式(若该不定式要表示被动意义,则应用被动形式)。如:
He is worthy to receive such honor. 他应该得到这种荣誉。
This suggestion is worthy to be considered. 这个建议值得考虑。
(3) 若要在be worthy后接动名词,与后接名词时的情形一样,应借助介词of,且该动名词若要表示被动意义,要用被动形式。如:
He is worthy of filling the post. 这个职位他当之无愧。
This suggestion is worthy of being considered [=This suggestion is worthy to be considered]. 这个建议值得考虑。
3. 有关 be worthwhile 的搭配习惯的搭配习惯
(1) be worthwhile 后接动名词或不定式均可。如:
It is worthwhile buying the dictionary. 这本词典值得买。(其中的 worthwhile 也可换成 worth,但不可以换成worthy)
It is worthwhile to discuss the plan again. 这个计划值得再讨论一次。(worthwhile 不能换成 worth,因为其后接用了不定式,但可以换成worthy)
(2) 有时可将worthwhile分开写,此时也可在其中加上one‘s.如:I’d think it worth while to go. 我认为值得去。
The President's trip to Washington this week seems to have been worthwhile
总统本周的华盛顿之行看来是有价值的。
It is worth while paying a vistlt to the great wall.
去参观长城是值得的。
It might be worthwhile to consider your attitude to an insurance policy.
考虑一下你对投保的看法也许有所助益。
Is it worthwhile getting angry over such a trifling matter?
为这点小事犯得着生气吗?
If your water usage is very small it may be worthwhile opting for a meter.
要是用水量很小,就可以考虑装一个水表。
It isn't worthwhile spending so much time on minor problems.
在枝节问题上犯不着花这么多时间。