have been underserved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been underserved" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a group or individual that has not received adequate services or support over a period of time. Example: "Many communities have been underserved in terms of healthcare access, leading to significant disparities in health outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

"We remain focused on the patients who have been underserved and look forward to the rigorous review of our scientific research," she said.

The New York Times - Health

"We have been underserved for decades, and now there are people who live right on the other side of that fence that are missing out," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

The Secretary shall give priority to serving programs and projects that serve geographic areas and eligible populations which have been underserved by the programs assisted under this division.

Cornell University

Several years ago, a library-use survey found that while the library system does a good job of reaching children and older people with kids, residents in between have been underserved.

The Washington Post

The Secretary shall conduct outreach activities to ensure that entities eligible for assistance under this division submit applications proposing programs that serve geographic areas and eligible populations which have been underserved by the programs assisted under this division.

Cornell University

And some parts of the world, including Africa and the Middle East, have been underserved by submarine cables, which are now being hooked up.The structure of the industry is also much saner than it was a few years ago, says Andrew Odlyzko, director of the Digital Technology Center at the University of Minnesota and an expert in infrastructure booms and busts.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

"This really has been a population that has been underserved for decades," she said.

The New York Times

They are serving "a customer who has been underserved or unserved since the beginning of mortgage financing," he said.

The New York Times

We've been underserved in terms of retail, arts, culture, entertainment — all of those things are coming on line.

The New York Times

L. Stine's The Haunting Hour: The Series" because the mystery-horror genre has been "underserved for a while".

The New York Times

One domain that has been underserved by the advanced engineering methodologies coming from other disciplines is the domain of design for the developing world.

Development Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been underserved", clearly specify who or what has been underserved and in what area. For instance, "Rural communities have been underserved in terms of access to healthcare."

Common error

Avoid using "have been underserved" without providing specific details about the nature of the deficiency. Saying "the market has been underserved" is less effective than saying "the market has been underserved by innovative financial products".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been underserved" functions as a passive voice construction indicating that a subject has not received adequate services or attention. It's used to highlight a deficiency or lack of support.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

13%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been underserved" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a lack of adequate services or attention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively highlights a deficiency and calls attention to unmet needs across various sectors. Usage analysis reveals its prevalence in News & Media, Academia, Formal & Business and Science. When using this phrase, ensure to provide specific context about who or what has been underserved and in what area to maximize clarity and impact. Alternatives such as "have been neglected" or "have been poorly served" can be considered based on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been poorly served

A direct synonym, replacing "underserved" with "poorly served" for a slight variation in tone.

have been neglected

Focuses on the aspect of being ignored or overlooked, rather than explicitly stating a lack of service.

have lacked support

Focuses on the absence of assistance or backing, implying a failure to provide necessary aid.

have been marginalized

Highlights the social exclusion aspect, indicating being pushed to the fringes.

have been overlooked

Focuses on the lack of attention or consideration given to a particular group or area.

have been disadvantaged

Emphasizes the unfair circumstances resulting from a lack of opportunity or resources.

have been underresourced

Similar to underfunded but includes all kind of resources (human, technology, ...)

have been underfunded

Specifically highlights a lack of financial resources, implying a connection between funding and service quality.

have been deprived of

Highlights that the subject has been denied something.

have been shortchanged

Suggests that someone has unfairly received something of less value than they deserve.

FAQs

How can I use "have been underserved" in a sentence?

Use "have been underserved" to indicate a lack of adequate services or attention. For example, "Students in rural areas "have been underserved" by the education system".

What are some alternatives to "have been underserved"?

Alternatives include "have been neglected", "have been marginalized", or "have been poorly served", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "have been underserved" or "are underserved"?

Both phrases can be correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Have been underserved" implies a historical or ongoing lack of service, while "are underserved" simply describes a current state of inadequate service. The best choice depends on the context.

What does it mean when a community is described as "underserved"?

When a community is described as "underserved", it means it lacks sufficient resources, services, or attention compared to other communities. This could relate to healthcare, education, infrastructure, or other essential areas.