What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
deserving
Example
She is deserving of recognition for her hard work. [deserving: adjective]
Example
The charity is supporting deserving families in the community. [deserving: present participle]
worthy
Example
He is a worthy candidate for the job. [worthy: adjective]
Example
The book is worthy of a Pulitzer Prize. [worthy: preposition]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Worthy is more commonly used than deserving in everyday language. Worthy is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while deserving is less common and refers to specific situations where someone has earned or is entitled to something.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between deserving and worthy?
Worthy is considered more formal than deserving and is often used in academic or literary contexts. However, both words can be used in both formal and informal contexts depending on the situation.
