are least able to pay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are least able to pay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing financial capability or economic situations, particularly when referring to individuals or groups who have limited financial resources. Example: "The new policy aims to support those who are least able to pay for essential services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

And in recent contract negotiations, it has increased other fees to publishers, which the small ones are least able to pay.

The Economist

Wheat prices aren't up at the level they got to in 2008 but they are still very high and that will have an effect on those who are least able to pay higher prices for food".

The Guardian

Most pharmaceutical firms view any such vaccine as a liability nightmare; and the demand would be greatest among the populations that are least able to pay... Tells about the various experimental vaccines... Biology is now driven by genomics, not by trial and error.

The New Yorker

If I get unlucky in the pool, I'll lose money.' So they overcharge you just to make sure, and on good years, they just make a whopping profit from the people who are least able to pay it.

Huffington Post

"Despite being under intense scrutiny since Michael Brown was killed, the police and courts in the St . Louisregion are still trying to squeeze money out of the very residents who are least able to pay," Karin Martin, a professor of public management at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, said via email.

Vice

Majority of those unregistered are the poor and vulnerable who are least able to pay for health care when they need it.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Though they are least able to afford it, the underbanked have to pay far more than most Americans for basic transactions.

Huffington Post

New Jersey's O'Scanlon suggests that the people who are hurt most by the traffic-camera tickets are those least able to pay.

Huffington Post

"These employees are the lowest paid at the hospital and going to be least able to absorb any reductions in their pay packet.

BBC

Schools often reduce these costs for pupils having free school meals but the point remains, to benefit from all that playing a musical instrument can offer, you need to be able to pay for it, yet those who would benefit the most are the least able to pay.

The Guardian

New York's hospitals have pledged to stop charging their highest prices to the uninsured patients who are often least able to pay and to end collection tactics like foreclosing on people's homes, under a new policy adopted by a hospital trade group.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing policies or programs, clarify which specific groups "are least able to pay". Providing concrete examples or data enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "are least able to pay" without specifying what they are unable to pay for. Always provide context about the specific cost or expense to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are least able to pay" functions as a descriptor or qualifier, identifying a specific group or population that faces significant financial constraints. Ludwig examples show it relating to various costs like healthcare, food, and basic financial services.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are least able to pay" effectively identifies groups facing financial hardship, often necessitating support or policy changes. Ludwig examples from reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian demonstrate its common use in news, science, and online media. The phrase functions as a descriptor that highlights economic disparities, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, which also suggests alternative phrasings like "cannot afford to pay". When using this phrase, clarity is key: specifying what individuals "are least able to pay" for ensures the message is both impactful and precise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are least likely to afford

Focuses on the probability of affording something rather than the explicit ability to pay.

are least equipped to pay

Highlights the lack of resources or preparation to handle payment.

are in no position to pay

Emphasizes the unfavorable circumstances preventing payment.

cannot afford to pay

A more direct statement of inability to pay due to financial constraints.

have the least capacity to pay

Stresses the limited potential or capability to handle payments.

struggle the most to pay

Highlights the effort and difficulty involved in making payments.

find it hardest to pay

Focuses on the subjective experience of difficulty in paying.

are least able to finance

Shifts the focus slightly to the broader concept of financing, not just paying.

have the fewest resources to pay

Emphasizes the scarcity of available resources for making payments.

are the most financially vulnerable

Broadens the scope to general financial vulnerability, implying difficulty in paying.

FAQs

How can I use "are least able to pay" in a sentence?

Use "are least able to pay" to describe individuals or groups who have the most difficulty affording something, such as "those "are least able to pay for healthcare" may require additional assistance".

What's a good alternative to "are least able to pay"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "cannot afford to pay" or "have the fewest resources to pay" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "are least able to pay" or "cannot afford it"?

"Are least able to pay" is generally more formal and nuanced, suggesting a spectrum of affordability, while "cannot afford it" is a more direct and absolute statement of inability to pay.

What are some common situations where people "are least able to pay"?

Common situations include access to healthcare, education, housing, and other essential services, where low-income individuals or marginalized communities "are least able to pay for basic needs".