fall into poverty

USAGE SUMMARY

"fall into poverty" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a person experiencing a sudden decrease in their financial status, often due to circumstances beyond their control. Example: After losing his job, John's family fell into poverty and struggled to make ends meet.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They may immediately fall into poverty.

The Guardian - Opinion

"When we ask people why they fall into poverty there are three major factors," he said.

Independent

But, even if they prove dull, a fall into poverty is unlikely.

The Economist

Millions more are teetering on the edge, poised to fall into poverty.

The New York Times

Despite the severe recession, relatively few people saw their living standards fall into poverty, thanks to the social safety net.

The New York Times

And yes, she said, while plenty of women fall into poverty after divorce, the ex-husband often cannot support them.

The New York Times

Both Beverly and Monica have lost jobs as a result of illness, and many sick people fall into poverty.

The New York Times - Magazine

Civil servants warned that at least 40,000 children would fall into poverty as a result of the cap's extension.

The Guardian

Many people who lose their jobs now and fall into poverty may not qualify for public assistance.

The New York Times

They work and save, but then something happens and they fall into poverty : a crop failure, a loss of a job, the death of a breadwinner.

The New York Times

(Women who are single mothers are more likely than others to fall into poverty, even in France. Also, women are pitifully underrepresented in Paris kitchens).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fall into poverty", consider the specific context and whether a more nuanced phrase might better convey the speed and circumstances of the impoverishment. For instance, "slip into poverty" might be more appropriate for a gradual decline.

Common error

Avoid using "fall into poverty" when describing temporary financial difficulties. The phrase implies a more significant and sustained state of economic hardship, not just a passing setback.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fall into poverty" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as a predicate in a sentence. It describes the action of experiencing a decline in economic status. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fall into poverty" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of experiencing a decline in economic status. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used and understood in various contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, but also in scientific and formal business publications. While seemingly straightforward, choosing alternative phrases like "decline into poverty" or "slip into poverty" can add nuance to your writing by emphasizing different aspects of the process. Remember to use "fall into poverty" when describing significant and lasting economic hardship, and avoid applying it to temporary financial setbacks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decline into poverty

Focuses on a gradual process of impoverishment.

slip into poverty

Suggests a subtle, almost unnoticed descent into poverty.

descend into poverty

Implies a more dramatic and rapid decline in financial status.

tumble into poverty

Conveys a sense of sudden and uncontrolled loss of wealth.

be reduced to poverty

Highlights the consequence of an action leading to impoverishment.

become impoverished

A more formal way of saying someone has become poor.

end up in poverty

Focuses on the final state of being poor, regardless of the process.

experience financial hardship

Refers to a difficult economic situation without necessarily implying complete poverty.

face economic destitution

Emphasizes the severity and hopelessness of the poverty situation.

struggle with poverty

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

FAQs

How can I use "fall into poverty" in a sentence?

You can use "fall into poverty" to describe a situation where someone experiences a significant decline in their economic status. For example: "Due to job loss and mounting medical bills, many families "fall into poverty"."

What are some alternatives to saying "fall into poverty"?

Alternatives include "decline into poverty", "slip into poverty", or "become impoverished", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "fall into poverty" or "fell into poverty"?

"Fall into poverty" is the present tense, while "fell into poverty" is the past tense. The correct tense depends on the context of your sentence. For example: "Many families "fall into poverty" due to economic crises," versus "After the factory closed, many families "fell into poverty"."

What are the main causes for people to "fall into poverty"?

According to research, major factors causing people to "fall into poverty" include agricultural shocks, increases in food prices, natural disasters, job loss, and health issues.