Expression: 'For whatever it's worth, you were...'

[Tom]

Hi

Could you please shed some light on the bold part of the sentence? What does it really mean?

1- Listen, Harry, whatever it's worth, you were right and I was wrong.

This sentence was spoken by a geologist who was proven wrong when the volcano blew up and killed many people. He did not allow the area to be evacuated.

Tom

[Yankee]

Hi Tom

The geologist is indicating that he's about to say something even though his saying it may not be important or valuable or make any difference.

The expression 'whatever it's worth' is often preceded by 'for'.

Amy
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Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English

[Tom]

[Yankee]

.
Listen, Harry, for whatever it's worth, you were right and I was wrong.


I probably should have said that the expression is usually preceded by 'for' and that you can also say "for what it's worth".
_________________
Amy
.
ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English