close to the poverty line

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to the poverty line" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe individuals or families whose income is just above or below the established threshold for poverty. Example: "Many families in the area are living close to the poverty line, struggling to make ends meet each month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Some 100 million Americans live below or close to the poverty line.

The New York Times

Nearly half of New York is living close to the poverty line.

The Guardian - Books

With limited district public services, people continue to live close to the poverty line.

The Guardian

People who are close to the poverty line, how are we helping them?

Harvard Business Review

Many home health aides live close to the poverty line: Average annual wages were just $22,870 last year.

The New York Times - Magazine

Clegg said that it was wrong that "junior soldiers who are single are close to the poverty line".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Yet taking net taxes and work-related expenditures into account shows many families closer to the poverty line than they would otherwise seem.

The New York Times

Our major banks are simply too big, too leveraged and too undercapitalised to survive a crash in house prices without driving the hard-working middle class a little closer to the poverty line.

The Guardian - Business

Americans with incomes closest to the poverty line have remained enrolled in Obamacare, despite the premium increases, because they aren't paying for those increases: other taxpayers are.

Forbes

It will result in workers being pushed closer to the poverty line.

Vice

The improvements will continue to raise roughly 16 million people, including up to 8 million children, above or closer to the poverty line in 2018 and beyond.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "close to the poverty line", ensure your writing clearly conveys the specific context of economic vulnerability you're describing. Provide additional details about the challenges faced by individuals or families in this situation to enhance the reader's understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "close to the poverty line" interchangeably with being impoverished. The former indicates a state of near-poverty, while the latter describes those already below the poverty threshold. Using precise language ensures accurate representation and avoids misinterpreting the severity of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to the poverty line" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun (e.g., people, families) to describe their economic status. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. It indicates proximity to a defined threshold of financial hardship.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close to the poverty line" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a state of economic vulnerability. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid and used in multiple contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. While not synonymous with being impoverished, it indicates a precarious financial situation where individuals or families are at risk of falling below the poverty threshold. When using this phrase, clarity and context are key to effectively conveying the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one paycheck away from poverty

Illustrates how close someone is to falling into poverty.

on the verge of poverty

Highlights the imminence of falling into poverty.

in a precarious financial situation

Highlights the instability and risk associated with their financial state.

near the breadline

Implies a more severe state of poverty, often associated with relying on basic necessities.

barely making ends meet

Emphasizes the struggle to cover basic expenses.

economically vulnerable

Emphasizes the susceptibility to economic hardship.

facing financial hardship

Emphasizes the experience of difficulty due to financial circumstances.

struggling financially

Focuses on the difficulty in managing finances.

living with limited means

Highlights the constraint of resources.

on a low income

Directly refers to the inadequacy of income.

FAQs

How can I use "close to the poverty line" in a sentence?

You can use "close to the poverty line" to describe individuals or families whose income is just above or below the poverty threshold. For example: "Many families in the region are living close to the poverty line."

What are some alternatives to saying "close to the poverty line"?

Alternatives include "near the breadline", "on the verge of poverty", or "struggling financially", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it accurate to describe someone "close to the poverty line" as poor?

While those "close to the poverty line" are not officially classified as poor, they experience significant financial strain and vulnerability. It is more accurate to describe them as being at risk of poverty or economically vulnerable.

What factors can push someone "closer to the poverty line"?

Unexpected medical expenses, job loss, lack of affordable housing, and limited access to education and healthcare can all push individuals and families "closer to the poverty line".