low earnings

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "low earnings" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where an individual or entity is receiving a small amount of income or profit. Example: "Many workers in the gig economy struggle with low earnings, making it difficult to meet their basic needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They don't include the impact of taxes, ignoring the earned-income tax credit, which provides substantial help to families with low earnings.

The New York Times

However, he warned that many consumers' spending power remained constrained by low earnings growth.

The Guardian - Business

Lauren Rich Fine of Merrill Lynch said that the low earnings numbers were "pretty extraordinary".

The New York Times

Sara Lee fell 10percentt after it forecast surprisingly low earnings.

The New York Times

Those on benefits or low earnings described either being looked down on or ignored.

The Guardian

But their low earnings do not stop them from saving and buying big.

The Guardian

At least half of the supply should have rents linked to low earnings in an area.

The Guardian

Archives|THE MARKETS: Market Place; Low earnings notwithstanding, 3Com stock still has believers.

The New York Times

THE MARKETS: Market Place; Low earnings notwithstanding, 3Com stock still has believers.

The New York Times

Its residents are trapped in a cycle of low achievement and low earnings.

The Economist

While low earnings is the basic criterion for program eligibility, public benefits do not necessarily go directly to the worker.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic disparities, use "low earnings" to accurately describe the financial challenges faced by individuals or households.

Common error

Avoid using "low earnings" when referring to a company's financial performance; instead, use "low revenue" or "poor profits" to describe business financials.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "low earnings" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "low" modifies the noun "earnings". It's used to describe a state of having insufficient income, as evidenced by Ludwig examples demonstrating its role in discussions about poverty, economic inequality, and eligibility for public assistance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "low earnings" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe insufficient income. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, serving to objectively discuss economic hardship. When writing, remember to distinguish "low earnings" from related terms like "low wages" or "low revenue" and ensure accuracy in your descriptions of financial situations. Alternatives like "meager income" or "limited income" can be used to add nuance, but "low earnings" remains a direct and widely understood way to convey this concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meager income

Focuses on the small amount of income received.

limited income

Emphasizes the restricted nature of the earnings.

small income

Directly indicates the reduced size of the income.

reduced income

Highlights that the income has been diminished.

poor income

Indicates the unsatisfactory quality of the earnings.

slender income

Emphasizes the thinness or inadequacy of the income.

deficient income

Highlights the insufficiency of the income to meet needs.

inadequate income

Stresses that the income is not enough.

insufficient income

Emphasizes the income's failure to reach a required level.

modest income

Suggests a humble or unpretentious level of earnings.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "low earnings"?

Alternatives include "meager income", "limited income", or "small income" depending on the context.

How does "low earnings" affect eligibility for public benefits?

Generally, "low earnings" is a key criterion for qualifying for programs like housing vouchers or food stamps. However, specific eligibility requirements vary by program and location.

Is "low earnings" the same as "low wages"?

"Low earnings" refers to the total income earned, while "low wages" specifically refers to the hourly or salaried rate of pay. Someone can have low wages and still have reasonable earnings depending on hours worked, or vice versa.

What factors contribute to "low earnings"?

"Low earnings" can result from various factors including "low wages", part-time employment, lack of skills or education, economic downturns, or discrimination in the workplace.