as poor as

USAGE SUMMARY

"as poor as" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is often used to compare two objects or people who share a lack of resources. For example, "She was so poor that she was as poor as a church mouse."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The prognosis is often not as poor as initially perceived by physicians.

Annals of Intensive Care

We were as poor as church mice.

The New York Times

"I'm not as poor as I look.

The New Yorker

[laughter] You're just as poor as Negroes".

The New Yorker

"People weren't as poor as all that.

The New Yorker

They are as poor as poor can be.

The New York Times - Magazine

Thankfully the penalty was as poor as Vale's home attendances.

The Guardian - Sport

The observers, he said, were "as poor as church mice".

The Guardian

"Are you as poor as a field mouse?" he asked.

The Guardian - Music

But Angolans, by many indications, remain as poor as ever.

The New York Times

He was "born as poor as it gets in America.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as poor as", ensure you're comparing like things. For example, compare the financial status of two individuals or the economic conditions of two countries.

Common error

Avoid using "as poor as" when describing non-financial concepts. For example, it's incorrect to say, "His performance was as poor as his attendance," unless you're metaphorically linking attendance to a financial state.

Linguistic Context

Comparative phrase: "As poor as" functions primarily as a comparative phrase, used to draw a parallel between the degree of poverty experienced by two different entities. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and common usage of this construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as poor as" is a commonly used comparative phrase that serves to illustrate a state of impoverishment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Analysis of various sources, including news outlets and scientific publications, reveals that this phrase is most frequently encountered in journalistic contexts, maintaining a neutral register. When using "as poor as", make sure to compare similar subjects and be mindful of the context to avoid any misinterpretations. For alternative expressions, consider options such as "utterly destitute" or "extremely impoverished" for different shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely impoverished

Focuses on the intensity of the poverty, rather than making a comparison.

utterly destitute

Highlights the complete lack of resources or means.

living in abject poverty

Emphasizes the miserable conditions associated with deep poverty.

in a state of penury

Uses a more formal term ("penury") to describe extreme poverty.

penniless and needy

Combines two descriptive adjectives to convey the state of being without money and in need of help.

financially deprived

Focuses on the lack of financial resources as a form of disadvantage.

badly off

A more euphemistic way to say someone is experiencing financial hardship.

struggling with poverty

Highlights the ongoing effort to cope with the difficulties of being poor.

down and out

An idiomatic expression referring to someone who has lost everything and is in a very bad situation.

lacking in resources

A more general term that can refer to various types of resources, not just financial ones.

FAQs

How can I use "as poor as" in a sentence?

Use "as poor as" to compare the level of poverty between two subjects. For instance, "During the recession, many families were "as poor as" they had been during the Great Depression".

What are some alternatives to saying "as poor as"?

Alternatives include phrases like "extremely impoverished", "utterly destitute", or "living in abject poverty", which offer varying degrees of emphasis on the state of poverty.

Is it always appropriate to use "as poor as"?

While grammatically correct, be mindful of the context and audience. Using euphemisms or more sensitive language may be more appropriate in certain situations to avoid causing offense or discomfort.

What is the difference between "as poor as" and "impoverished"?

"As poor as" is a comparative phrase, while "impoverished" is an adjective describing a state of poverty. You might say "They are "as poor as" church mice" or "They live in an impoverished region".