less than poor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than poor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that is worse than being poor, indicating a state of extreme deprivation or lack. Example: "The living conditions in that area are less than poor; many families struggle to find basic necessities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

My affinity for the brand is low, loyalty programs are less than poor and there is no tangible network effect or social aspects that have benefitted me as a consumer.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Once the questionnaire had been completed the interface was awarded an overall usability score of either very poor (less than 29), poor (between 29 and 49), moderate (between 49 and 69), good (between 69 and 89) and Excellent (more than 89).

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

Exclusion often stems from people being perceived as "less-than": too poor, too disabled, too uneducated, or otherwise too different to amount to anything.

Huffington Post

We obtained socioeconomic data for individual residences from the 2000 census to categorize the following neighborhoods: high poverty (30% or more poor), middle poverty (5-295-29%r) and low poverty (less than 5% poor).

BMC Public Health

This bowel preparation scheme had been shown with less than 5% poor or inadequate preparation in our population.

BMJ Open

In recent years, though, the 168-year-old inn provided less charm than poor service and uncomfortable rooms.

The New York Times

On the whole, rich countries are less polluted than poor countries, not more.

The Economist

He points out that middle-class blacks are only marginally less segregated than poor blacks, living overwhelmingly in black suburbs.

The Economist

Justice DeGrasse conceded the state attorney general's contention, in defending the aid formula, that wealthier school districts generally get less aid than poor districts.

The New York Times

(In any case, poor resident aliens are less likely than poor American citizens to claim the benefits for which they are eligible).

The Economist

Phillip Ruland, Monarch Beach, California Social mobility in Europe Edward Glaeser ("Europe to the left, America to the right," Views, Feb. 17) correctly points out that "poor Americans are actually less likely than poor Europeans to move up the income ladder".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less than poor" to emphasize a state that goes beyond mere poverty, suggesting extreme deprivation or lack of essential resources. It's more impactful than simply saying "poor".

Common error

While grammatically sound, "less than poor" can sometimes sound informal or hyperbolic in formal writing. Opt for stronger, more precise vocabulary such as "destitute" or "severely deprived" for greater impact and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than poor" functions as a comparative descriptor, used to emphasize a condition that exceeds the standard definition of poverty. As Ludwig AI shows, it qualifies a state of being as significantly worse than being merely "poor".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less than poor" is a grammatically sound comparative expression used to describe conditions that are worse than simply being poor. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its usage is relatively rare and may be considered less formal. Stronger alternatives such as "extremely impoverished" or "severely deprived" may be more appropriate in formal writing. The phrase is used in both news media and scientific contexts to emphasize the depth of deprivation beyond typical poverty. Remember to use "less than poor" when you need to underscore extreme hardship and lack of resources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worse than poverty

Directly compares the state to poverty, indicating a more severe condition.

extremely impoverished

Emphasizes the depth of poverty, suggesting a severe lack of resources.

severely deprived

Highlights the lack of basic necessities and essential resources.

in abject poverty

Emphasizes the extreme and degrading nature of the poverty.

in dire straits

Indicates a situation of extreme hardship and distress.

facing extreme hardship

Highlights the difficult and challenging conditions experienced.

destitute

Implies a complete lack of resources and means of survival.

utterly lacking

Focuses on the complete absence of necessary resources or qualities.

critically underserved

Highlights the inadequacy of support and services available.

living in scarcity

Focuses on the constant lack of essential resources.

FAQs

What does "less than poor" mean?

The phrase "less than poor" describes a state that is even worse than being poor, suggesting extreme deprivation or a severe lack of essential resources.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "less than poor"?

It's appropriate to use "less than poor" when you want to emphasize that a situation is not just characterized by poverty, but by a condition that is significantly worse than standard poverty, such as extreme destitution or lack of basic necessities.

What are some alternatives to saying "less than poor"?

Alternatives include "extremely impoverished", "severely deprived", or "destitute", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "less than poor" grammatically correct?

Yes, "less than poor" is grammatically correct. It functions as a comparative phrase, indicating a state that is to a greater degree than simply "poor."