far too poor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "far too poor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a level of poverty that is significantly below what is considered acceptable or sufficient. Example: "The community is far too poor to afford basic healthcare services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"Many of their families are just far too poor to pay any kind of ransom".

The New York Times

Mr. Chiu said JV China had not been paid for six months because its performance was "far too poor".

The New York Times

Despite some limited improvements in industries such as textiles, this is still far too poor for most Russian companies to compete on world markets.

The Economist

Most of the 4.5 million residents of Kyrgyzstan are far too poor to buy crafts; the per capita income is $330 a year.

The New York Times - Arts

One out of five Sierra Leoneans did flee from home during the civil war, but most were far too poor to pay the air fare to Europe, so they sought refuge in neighbouring countries instead.

The Economist

However, the official outrage in a country that famously defaulted in 1998 also drew scorn from Russians well aware that most of the country's citizens are far too poor to stash wealth in foreign banks.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Chigumbura plays the poor hat-trick ball, which is far too short and straight, comfortably.

The Guardian - Sport

Warrington continued to break Hull's first line of defence but far too often poor handling prevented them from putting points on the board.

The Guardian - Sport

After a desultory 2009 season marked by recurring medical problems and far too much poor play by those who were not hurt, the Mets put on a nine-inning demonstration of solid baseball that impressed, and maybe even surprised, the 41,245 fans at sold-out Citi Field.

The New York Times - Sports

And worst of all, far too many poor, innocent, defendants actually plead guilty to criminal offenses because the bail set against them is high and unaffordable by them -- and they are forced to languish in jail awaiting trial recognizing that, if acquitted at trial, they will have served all that time for naught.

Huffington Post

The limit on borrowing for living expenses is set far too low, pushing poor students towards pricey consumer debt to make ends meet.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "far too poor" to emphasize the extent of poverty, particularly when it prevents access to essential services or opportunities. For instance, "The families are "far too poor" to afford medical care."

Common error

While "far too poor" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Consider more nuanced alternatives like "severely underprivileged" or "lacking sufficient resources" for greater precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far too poor" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun, emphasizing the extreme degree of poverty. As Ludwig AI explains, it highlights a level of poverty significantly below what is considered acceptable or sufficient.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "far too poor" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that emphasizes a significant deficiency in financial resources. While not as common as other expressions, as Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys the depth of poverty. Its usage spans from news reports to formal documents, though careful consideration should be given to context to prevent over-formality. When aiming for clarity and impact, "far too poor" stands as a potent expression. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "excessively impoverished" or "unable to afford basic necessities".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to afford basic necessities

Specifically highlights the inability to cover essential needs.

excessively impoverished

Replaces "far too poor" with a single, more formal adjective emphasizing extreme poverty.

living in extreme poverty

Shifts the focus to the lived experience of deep poverty.

extremely destitute

Uses a different adjective to convey a state of utter lack of resources.

severely underprivileged

Focuses on the lack of opportunities due to poverty.

lacking sufficient resources

A more formal and general way to express the absence of adequate means.

in dire financial straits

Employs a more idiomatic expression to describe a difficult financial situation.

financially vulnerable

Emphasizes the precariousness of their financial situation.

with limited economic means

A more technical and detached way to describe their poverty.

impecunious to an extreme degree

Uses a more uncommon and emphatic adjective to highlight the severity of poverty.

FAQs

What does "far too poor" mean?

The phrase "far too poor" emphasizes a significant lack of financial resources, indicating a state of poverty that severely limits access to basic needs and opportunities.

What are some alternatives to "far too poor"?

You can use alternatives like "excessively impoverished", "extremely destitute", or "severely underprivileged" depending on the context.

How can I use "far too poor" in a sentence?

Example: "Many families in the region are "far too poor" to afford adequate housing."

Is "far too poor" formal or informal?

The phrase "far too poor" is generally considered neutral and acceptable for use in various contexts, though more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or highly professional writing.