kind of poor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kind of poor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that is somewhat lacking in financial resources or quality. Example: "The neighborhood is kind of poor, with many families struggling to make ends meet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

"Eli, he really played kind of poor," Buchanon added.

The New York Times - Sports

They were a kind of poor man's musical comedy then.

The New Yorker

"We grew up kind of poor, on welfare and stuff like that," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

"The attendance has been kind of poor," Mr. Perez said before heading for the dugout.

The New York Times

His consultation room is a kind of poor relation of his living room.

The New Yorker

Cheryl, that's the kind of poor judgment that'll wind up with marriage to… oh.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

But I don't understand  why pantomime has this kind of poor-cousin image.

Independent

The table clinks together and drinks together--typically, the drink of choice is soju, a kind of poor-man's vodka--multiple times a night.

Huffington Post

This article focuses on processing two kinds of poor contrast color images: one is low intensity with poor contrast (LIPC) images and another is high intensity with poor contrast (HIPC) images.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

All kinds of poor decisions are made by human beings.

Huffington Post

"That's why Tom Campbell has kind of a poor rating from the National Rifle Association right there," Fiorina shot back.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kind of poor" to soften a potentially harsh description of someone's economic situation. It adds a layer of nuance, implying a relative rather than absolute state of poverty.

Common error

While "kind of poor" is acceptable, overuse can dilute its impact. Vary your language with alternatives like "struggling financially" or "facing economic hardship" to maintain reader engagement and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kind of poor" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a relative lack of financial resources or a state of mild poverty. Ludwig shows its use in various contexts, adding nuance to the description.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

8%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kind of poor" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjective phrase to describe a relative state of lacking financial resources. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is acceptable in various contexts, particularly in news and media, science and encyclopedias. When writing, consider using it to add nuance to a description of economic circumstances, but be mindful of context and audience. Alternatives like "somewhat impoverished" or "economically disadvantaged" may be more suitable for formal settings. While acceptable, the Ludwig AI highlights the importance of varying language to prevent overuse and maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat impoverished

More formal and emphasizes the state of being made poor.

relatively impoverished

Highlights the comparison to a standard or other groups.

rather destitute

Stronger emphasis on lacking basic necessities.

a bit underprivileged

Focuses on the lack of opportunities due to economic status.

slightly indigent

More formal term for lacking means of subsistence.

somewhat impecunious

A more formal and less common way to express lacking money.

moderately penurious

Emphasizes stinginess caused by poverty.

not very affluent

Focuses on the absence of wealth or abundance.

financially challenged

Euphemistic, focusing on difficulties in financial circumstances.

economically disadvantaged

Highlights the systemic disadvantages experienced.

FAQs

How can I use "kind of poor" in a sentence?

You can use "kind of poor" to describe a relative lack of financial resources, as in "They grew up "kind of poor", relying on public assistance."

What can I say instead of "kind of poor"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat impoverished", "economically disadvantaged", or "financially challenged" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "kind of poor" or "sort of poor"?

Both ""kind of poor"" and "sort of poor" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning, indicating a moderate or relative state of poverty. The choice often depends on personal preference or regional dialect.

What's the difference between "kind of poor" and "poor"?

"Kind of poor" suggests a lesser degree of poverty than simply "poor". It implies a situation where someone might be experiencing some financial hardship but isn't necessarily destitute.