diminished income

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "diminished income" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a decrease in earnings or financial resources, often in economic or financial contexts. Example: "Due to the recent economic downturn, many families are facing diminished income and struggling to make ends meet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

With little in savings, Ms. Bostic said, she had to rely largely on her diminished income from a job whose full pay was about $40,000 a year.

The New York Times

A family member is to buy a share of the small mews cottage in Edenbridge, Kent, that will soon be the Mead's new home – which should give them more capital to top up their diminished income.

The Guardian - Money

The higher debt-to-income ratios are a function of the diminished income levels of many homeowners since the economic downturn, said Nicolas P. Retsinas, a senior lecturer in real estate at Harvard Business School and one of the authors of the report.

The New York Times

Despite his father's diminished income, Aaron has been able to get the treatment he needs: A double-hip surgery was paid for by state-subsidized insurance, and at his school, Public School 333, he is assisted by a paraprofessional and an occupational therapist, Debra Fisher, who has been working with him for the last seven years.

The New York Times

Borrowers citing diminished income as the cause of default rose to 40% from 34% the month before.

Forbes

As a result, even the affluent will rethink how much of their likely diminished income will be shunted toward brand-name watches, handbags and other goods.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Mr. Price's travails echo across the economy, in his agents' diminished incomes and in spending for supplies and services that he has curbed.

The New York Times

He and Heather had built it several years earlier; now, facing six-figure legal bills, diminished incomes, and a heavily leveraged mortgage, they rent it out to make ends meet.

The New Yorker

Many providers are caught in a perfect storm of diminishing income while struggling with fixed costs and the debts left behind from fast expansion during the economic boom.

Independent

Its territory in the southern province of Shabwa straddles a vital oil pipeline.Mr Saleh needs the goodwill of the Awlakis not only to secure his main if diminishing income from oil, but to dampen a burgeoning secessionist movement in the south.

The Economist

In recent years, an increasing share of wages in aggregated income per se has ceased to be an indicator of diminishing income concentration, since the rise of top wages in English-speaking economies has been a driving force of the sharp increase in top income shares.

Latin American Economic Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, "diminished income" can be used to describe financial hardships related to health issues. For example: "This diminishes income and affects the ability of breadwinners to meet other needs of the family or of the individual."

Common error

While "diminished income" is correct, it might sound overly formal in casual conversations. Consider using simpler alternatives like "less money" or "lower pay" when speaking with friends or family.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "diminished income" functions as a noun phrase, where "diminished" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "income". As the Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a decrease or reduction in earnings or financial resources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "diminished income" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that describes a reduction in earnings or financial resources. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts. While relatively formal, it's suitable for describing economic hardships in both news and academic settings. Consider using synonyms like "reduced income" or "lower income" depending on the context. The phrase's function is to denote financial decline, and while authoritative sources like The New York Times and Huffington Post use it, be mindful of its formality in casual conversations. The frequency of "diminished income" is uncommon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduced income

Direct synonym; implies a decrease in the amount of income received.

decreased earnings

Focuses specifically on the reduction of earnings, often from employment or investments.

lower income

Indicates a less amount of money earned compared to a previous or expected level.

reduced earnings

Similar to decreased earnings, but can also refer to reduced company profits.

declining income

Highlights the trend of income decreasing over time.

falling income

Similar to declining income, emphasizes the downward trajectory of income.

loss of income

Emphasizes the negative impact of the income reduction.

income reduction

A more formal way of describing a decrease in income.

shrunken income

Informal and vivid way to illustrate the income reduction.

eroded income

Suggests that something has gradually reduced the income over time, implying a slow loss.

FAQs

How can I use "diminished income" in a sentence?

"Diminished income" is used to describe a state of having less income than before. For example, "The family faced significant challenges due to their diminished income after the factory closure."

What are some synonyms for "diminished income"?

Alternatives for "diminished income" include "reduced income", "decreased earnings", or "lower income", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "diminished income" or "reduced income"?

Both "diminished income" and "reduced income" are correct and often interchangeable. "Diminished" may sound slightly more formal, while "reduced" is more commonly used in everyday language.

What does "diminished income" imply about someone's financial situation?

"Diminished income" implies a negative change in someone's financial status, suggesting they have less money available than they previously did, which may lead to financial strain or difficulty in meeting expenses.