low wages

USAGE SUMMARY

'low wages' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to wages that are not adequate in comparison with the cost of living or average wages. For example: "The pandemic has led to a sharp increase in the number of people earning low wages."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That feeds through to low wages.

The Economist

Third, that low wages mean low demand.

Independent

Jobs in Chinatown usually pay low wages.

The New York Times

The main reason is persistently low wages.

The Guardian

Poles coming here work for low wages.

The Guardian

Health workers campaigned over low wages.

The Guardian

Because businesses need people willing to work for low wages.

The Guardian - Film

Stagnating low wages threaten living standards and burden the taxpayer.

The Guardian

Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness.

The Guardian - Travel

And we are talking about very low wages.

The Guardian - Opinion

And those who are are stopped by the low wages".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To strengthen your arguments about "low wages", use statistical data or specific examples to illustrate the real-life impact on individuals and families. Hard numbers and personal stories often resonate more powerfully than abstract assertions.

Common error

Avoid broad statements about "low wages" without specifying the industry, location, or skill level involved. Providing concrete details and focusing on specific examples lends more credibility to your argument and prevents it from appearing overly simplistic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "low wages" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It acts as a subject or object in a sentence, referring to the state of earning insufficient monetary compensation for labor. Ludwig confirms its widespread use in this context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "low wages" is a commonly used and grammatically correct term to describe inadequate compensation for work. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's widely used in various contexts, primarily in news and media, to highlight economic disparities and advocate for fair labor practices. When discussing "low wages", it is crucial to provide context by comparing them to the cost of living or average wages in the area. To prevent generalizations, providing concrete details lends credibility to your argument. Alternatives such as "meager earnings" or "poor compensation" can be used depending on the context. In summary, "low wages" serves as a key phrase to describe the problems of insufficient earnings and its implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meager earnings

Focuses on the insufficiency of the income received.

poor compensation

Highlights the inadequacy of the remuneration provided.

inadequate pay

Emphasizes that the payment is not sufficient.

small salaries

Refers to the low amount of money earned as a salary.

low-end salaries

Implies that the salaries are at the bottom of the pay scale.

minimum compensation

Suggests earnings are at the legally mandated minimum.

subsistence wages

Wages barely sufficient to support basic needs.

paltry income

Describes income as insignificant or worthless.

underpaid labor

Highlights the situation where workers are not paid adequately for their work.

depressed wages

Highlights an economic conditions causes wages to be supressed below market value.

FAQs

How can I use "low wages" in a sentence?

You can use "low wages" to describe situations where workers are paid inadequately. For example, "Many workers struggle to make ends meet due to "low wages"." or "The company's profits increased, but they continued to pay "low wages"".

What are some alternatives to saying "low wages"?

Alternatives include "meager earnings", "poor compensation", or "inadequate pay" depending on the specific context.

What factors contribute to "low wages" in certain industries?

Several factors can contribute to "low wages", including a surplus of available labor, lack of union representation, minimal education requirements, and weak enforcement of minimum wage laws.

How do "low wages" impact the overall economy?

Low wages can lead to reduced consumer spending, increased reliance on public assistance programs, and decreased economic mobility. They can also contribute to higher levels of income inequality.