is the poor cousin of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is the poor cousin of" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to designate something as an inferior version of something else. For example, "Windows MovieMaker is the poor cousin of professional video editing software".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Dialogue, in my view, is the poor cousin of prose.

The Guardian - Books

It is the poor cousin of the education world, but does a complicated and remarkable job.

The Guardian

One issue is that social care is the poor cousin of healthcare when it comes to research funding.

The Guardian

Drying is the poor cousin of washing, probably because you don't need the assistance of any commercial products to do it, apart from a towel.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For some, translation is the poor cousin of literature, a necessary evil if not an outright travesty summed up by the old Italian play on words, traduttore, traditore (translator, traitor).

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

As my server would not need anything like the brute-force computing power demanded by video-game players, computer-aided design engineers or movie animators, a humble little Intel Celeron processor was chosen for its energy-efficient architecture and modest price.In the pecking order of Intel processors, the Celeron is the poor cousin of its powerful Itanium, Xeon and Core 2 processors.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Sustainability indicator programs in developing countries are the poor cousin of ecological indicator research.

Ecological Indicators

Once the Aligote grape was the poor cousin of Burgundy, a wine to mix with cassis to make Kir.

The New York Times

Adaptation has long been the poor cousin of climate change policy and funding so perhaps this is no surprise.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many have felt circus has been the poor cousin of theatre and dance and all but a few of the country's traditional touring family circuses have disappeared.

The Guardian

PAGE A14 A New Role for RNA In the family of genetics, RNA has long been the poor cousin of DNA.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is the poor cousin of" to concisely convey that something is considered less important, valuable, or sophisticated than another thing. It adds a touch of informal comparison to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "is the poor cousin of" when the items being compared are fundamentally different, rather than variations of the same type. For instance, comparing apples and oranges using this phrase would be inappropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is the poor cousin of" functions as a comparative idiom. It serves to illustrate that one thing is considered inferior, less important, or less developed compared to another. Ludwig AI validates this usage with multiple examples across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is the poor cousin of" is a commonly used idiom that indicates inferiority or lesser status compared to something else. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides ample examples from diverse sources like news outlets, academic texts and scientific publications. The phrase functions as a comparative tool, downplaying the importance of one entity by contrasting it with a more valued counterpart. While not strictly formal, it’s appropriate for various writing contexts. Be mindful to use it when comparing items that are variations of the same type to maintain logical consistency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is the lesser sibling of

Replaces "cousin" with "sibling", implying a closer relationship but similar inferiority.

is a pale imitation of

Emphasizes the lack of quality compared to the original.

is not in the same league as

Highlights a significant difference in quality or status.

is second-rate compared to

Directly states the lower quality or status.

is a shadow of

Implies weakness and insignificance compared to a superior counterpart.

is a weaker version of

Indicates a less powerful or effective alternative.

is a far cry from

Shows a significant difference, often implying disappointment.

doesn't measure up to

Indicates a failure to meet a certain standard or level of quality.

is the underdog of

Highlights its position of being less favored and likely to succeed.

is overshadowed by

Suggests that its qualities are hidden due to the prominence of something else.

FAQs

How can I use "is the poor cousin of" in a sentence?

You can use "is the poor cousin of" to indicate that something is an inferior or less valued version of something else. For example, "In terms of funding, social care is the poor cousin of healthcare".

What's a good alternative to "is the poor cousin of"?

Alternatives include "is the lesser sibling of", "is a pale imitation of", or "doesn't measure up to". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is a poor cousin to" instead of "is the poor cousin of"?

While "is a poor cousin to" might be understood, "is the poor cousin of" is the more standard and widely accepted phrasing. It provides a clearer and more established idiom.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "is the poor cousin of"?

This phrase is appropriate in contexts where you want to express that something is considered less significant, advanced, or well-regarded compared to something else. It is suitable for both formal and informal writing, though it leans slightly towards the informal side.