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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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destitute

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'destitute' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective which means “extremely poor; lacking the necessities of life.” Example: Despite the country's growing economy, there are still many destitute families living in the slums.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Unemployed young people left destitute will not be magically transformed into sharp-suited young entrepreneurs, or walk into jobs and training places that do not exist.

"Four years since this crisis began, Syria's people have been plunged into the dark: destitute, fearful, and grieving for the friends they have lost and the country they once knew," said David Miliband, president and CEO of the International Rescue Committee.

News & Media

The Guardian

The move comes after an Observer investigation found evidence that Abu Dhabi's Tourism Development and Investment Company TDICC), which manages the development of luxury resorts and three major museums on Saadiyat, is failing to uphold its own employment policies, with workers left destitute, confined to their quarters and sent home for taking strike action.

News & Media

The Guardian

Their death or maiming leaves families destitute and deprives countries of their most economically valuable citizens.

News & Media

The Economist

A recent operation to "clean up" cities by bulldozing supposedly illegal dwellings has left another 700,000 people destitute, adding to the ranks of the hungry.

News & Media

The Economist

Meanwhile China is damaging its relations with South Korea and others.Mostly, though, China fears that if it acknowledges the true nature of the refugee problem, and allows UN officials access to the thousands of destitute North Koreans on its territory, soon outsiders will demand to poke about Tibet and Xinjiang, where China stands accused of treating its own minorities harshly.

News & Media

The Economist

Even those, like India, that aim at national coverage, leave long gaps between surveys, meaning records are out of date and full of holes.Another common approach is to outsource the task of deciding who is destitute to local leaders or community meetings.

News & Media

The Economist

Starving, destitute and drenched in the tempest's wake, it is hard to see the Burmese summoning the strength to throw off the tyrants' rule.

News & Media

The Economist

Some, particularly in the Highlands and islands, were certainly poor, even destitute, and the clearances in the late 1840s and early 1850s were undeniably brutal and often coercive.

News & Media

The Economist

But even if they are fewer in number and less destitute than often thought, Brazil's urban homeless are still an indictment of a state that has tended to do more for its own workers and pensioners than for the poor.

News & Media

The Economist

A few years later, pregnant and on the streets, she turned to the network of charities that look after the destitute in Birmingham, especially the Children's Society.

News & Media

The Economist
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "destitute" to describe a severe lack of basic necessities, emphasizing the extreme level of poverty someone faces. Be mindful of the context and audience, as it can carry a strong emotional charge.

Common error

Avoid using "destitute" interchangeably with "poor". "Destitute" signifies a complete lack of resources for survival, whereas "poor" indicates a relative lack of wealth. "Destitute" is a more extreme condition.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

94%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "destitute" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns, describing them as lacking the basic necessities of life. Ludwig's examples show its use in contexts involving poverty and displacement. The AI confirms it as an adjective describing extreme poverty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "destitute" functions as an adjective signifying extreme poverty and a lack of basic necessities. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and typical usage, showing its common appearance across diverse contexts, predominantly in News & Media. While synonyms exist, "destitute" carries a specific emphasis on a state of complete lack, distinguishing it from mere poverty. Using it correctly involves understanding its strong connotation and applying it appropriately to describe situations of severe hardship.

FAQs

How is "destitute" typically used in a sentence?

"Destitute" is commonly used as an adjective to describe someone lacking basic necessities, such as in the sentence, "The war left many families "destitute" and homeless."

What are some synonyms for "destitute"?

Synonyms for "destitute" include "impoverished", "penniless", and "indigent", each with slightly different connotations.

Is it correct to say someone is "becoming destitute"?

Yes, it's perfectly correct to say someone is "becoming destitute" to describe a situation where they are progressively losing their resources and approaching a state of extreme poverty.

What's the difference between "destitute" and "disadvantaged"?

"Destitute" refers specifically to a lack of basic necessities, while "disadvantaged" encompasses a broader range of systemic barriers and inequalities that limit opportunities.

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Source & Trust

94%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: