in poverty

USAGE SUMMARY

"in poverty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a general condition of lacking material possessions and/or money. For example: "Many people throughout the world live in poverty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Even in poverty?

The New York Times - Arts

I'm in poverty.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We're not in poverty".

The New York Times

Chevron left us in poverty".

The New Yorker

Dickinson grew up in poverty.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Dad grew up in poverty.

The New York Times

"It really is living in poverty".

The New York Times

Most of its people live in poverty.

The Economist

I disbelieve also in richness, in poverty.

The New Yorker

Instead it is sunk in poverty.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"They are living in poverty.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "in poverty", provide specific details about the context and conditions, such as access to healthcare, education, or clean water, to add depth and clarity to your message.

Common error

Avoid generalizing the experiences of people living "in poverty". Recognize that poverty manifests differently across various regions and communities, and individual stories and circumstances vary widely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in poverty" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to describe the condition or state in which someone lives or exists. This can be seen in examples where it modifies "grew up", "live", or "died", indicating the circumstances surrounding these actions. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Encyclopedias

14%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in poverty" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe the condition of lacking sufficient resources. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is found across diverse sources including news outlets, encyclopedias, and business reports. Its primary function is to depict the socioeconomic status of individuals or communities, often with the purpose of raising awareness or providing context. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it's important to use it with sensitivity and provide specific details to avoid overgeneralizing the experiences of those affected by poverty. Remember to use alternative phrases like "living in destitution" or "facing hardship" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a state of impoverishment

Replaces "poverty" with a more formal and descriptive term, emphasizing the process of becoming poor.

living in destitution

Replaces "poverty" with a more extreme form of deprivation, emphasizing a complete lack of resources.

economically disadvantaged

Describes a state of having fewer financial resources compared to others, often used in sociological contexts.

experiencing indigence

Substitutes "poverty" with a formal term for lacking the necessities of life, often implying public assistance.

living below the breadline

Uses an idiom to describe living with barely enough income to survive, emphasizing the struggle for basic needs.

facing hardship

Replaces the explicit mention of "poverty" with a broader term that includes various forms of difficulty and suffering.

struggling financially

Focuses on the active effort to manage limited resources and overcome financial challenges.

in conditions of scarcity

Focuses on the limited availability of essential resources, highlighting the lack of access to basic needs.

in straightened circumstances

Describes a situation where financial resources are limited, often due to unforeseen events or economic downturns.

underprivileged circumstances

Shifts the focus to the lack of advantages and opportunities associated with economic disadvantage.

FAQs

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

You can use "in poverty" to describe a state of lacking sufficient resources. For example, "Many families "are living in poverty" due to unemployment".

What are some alternatives to saying "in poverty"?

Some alternatives include "living in destitution", "experiencing indigence", or "facing hardship", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "in poverty" or "impoverished"?

Both "in poverty" and "impoverished" are correct, but they have slightly different uses. "In poverty" is a prepositional phrase describing a state, while "impoverished" is an adjective describing a person or place affected by poverty.

What is the difference between "in poverty" and "in scarcity"?

"In poverty" refers specifically to the state of lacking financial resources or material possessions. "In scarcity", on the other hand, refers to a general shortage or lack of essential resources, which can contribute to poverty but is not synonymous with it.