The phrase "destitute by" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is lacking the basic necessities of life and is in a state of extreme poverty or need. Example: After losing his job and being evicted from his home, John was destitute by the time he reached the homeless shelter.
They were not destitute, by any means.
He urged state and local governments to join private charities in caring for Americans made destitute by the Depression.
Many children, disabled people and families will be made destitute by the draconian reductions in welfare and housing benefits.
Portrait of a Turkish Family is a harrowing tale of a wealthy family left destitute by the first world war.
Both of these bills will go a long way to ensuring that women are treated fairly in court, not left disadvantaged and destitute by divorce.
He looked after the destitute by detailing Union soldiers to provide them with firewood and food as well as organizing relief efforts by well-off citizens.
Clearly there is a strong moral argument for helping the destitute ravaged by AIDS, in Africa or elsewhere.
A husband and wife who "brutally manipulated and exploited" destitute men by forcing them into servitude have been jailed for 11 years and four years respectively.
Husband and wife James and Josie Connors were convicted in July 2012 of having "brutally manipulated and exploited" destitute men by forcing them into servitude.
"The Zambia we inherit is destitute, ravaged by the excesses, ineptitude and straight corruption of a party and a people who have been in power for too long," he said in his first presidential address.
In his first address, the new president said, "The Zambia we inherit is destitute — ravaged by the excesses, ineptitude and straight corruption of a party and a people who have been in power for too long".
