poor relatives

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "poor relatives" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to family members who are financially disadvantaged compared to others in the family or society. Example: "During the holidays, we always make an effort to include our poor relatives in our celebrations, ensuring they feel valued and loved."

✓ Grammatically correct

Relationships

Finance

Social issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Poor relatives, Bella, ten years old then, instantly recognized.

The New Yorker

(And they are good at any price, not just poor relatives of the luxury set).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Technology enables people in the capital to text money transfers via mobile phone to poor relatives in the bush.

The New York Times

Writers who flee their roots often regard such youthful incarnations as distant poor relatives, deserving of disdain.

The New York Times - Books

"Tashfeen Malik's parents are rich and we are poor and they don't like to meet with their poor relatives," she added.

The Washington Post

Every year the pensioner collects money from members of his family in London, Coventry, Manchester and Newport for his "very, very poor" relatives in Bangladesh.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Data analysis and development of planning models have been a (relatively speaking) "poor relative" of the EU funded freight transport research.

European Transport Research Review

"We're playing poor relative to the US market," she said.

The Guardian - Film

It's not as if football has been a poor relative at Rutgers.

The New York Times

"It shouldn't be a poor relative but a national treasure," he asserted.

The Guardian

"Disability hate crime is often the poor relative of racist hate crime," one officer told the study.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "poor relatives", be sensitive and avoid language that may be perceived as demeaning or judgmental. Focus on their needs and circumstances with empathy.

Common error

Avoid making sweeping generalizations about "poor relatives". Each individual's circumstances are unique, and treating them as a monolithic group can be insensitive and inaccurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poor relatives" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies a specific group of people (relatives) who are characterized by their lack of financial resources. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

12.5%

Less common in

Wiki

6.25%

Formal & Business

6.25%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "poor relatives" is a common noun phrase used to refer to family members who lack financial resources. While grammatically correct, it's important to use the term with sensitivity, as highlighted by Ludwig. The phrase appears frequently in news and media, scientific and academic contexts. When writing or speaking, consider the potential for misinterpretation and opt for more empathetic alternatives like "less fortunate family members" or "relatives in need" depending on the situation. The provided examples and usage tips offer guidance on using the term appropriately and avoiding common pitfalls.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impoverished family members

Focuses specifically on the state of being impoverished, emphasizing a lack of resources within the family.

needy kin

Highlights the dependence on others, suggesting a requirement for assistance.

less fortunate relations

Emphasizes their situation compared to others without explicitly stating poverty.

underprivileged family

Highlights their lack of opportunities and advantages due to their financial situation.

destitute relatives

Implies a state of extreme poverty and lack of basic necessities.

relatives in need

Focuses on their current requirement for help or support.

financially challenged kin

Euphemistically describes their economic difficulties.

struggling family

Emphasizes the ongoing effort to overcome financial hardship.

less affluent relations

Highlights a lower level of wealth without necessarily implying poverty.

economically disadvantaged relatives

A more formal way to describe their unfavorable financial circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "poor relatives" in a sentence?

You can use "poor relatives" to refer to family members who lack financial resources, as in: "During the holidays, we try to support our "poor relatives" by providing food and gifts."

What's a more sensitive way to refer to "poor relatives"?

Consider using phrases like "less fortunate family members" or "relatives in need" as more empathetic alternatives to ""poor relatives"".

Is it appropriate to discuss "poor relatives" in a professional setting?

It's generally best to avoid discussing ""poor relatives"" in professional settings unless it's directly relevant to the conversation and handled with sensitivity.

How does the term "poor relatives" relate to discussions of wealth inequality?

The term ""poor relatives"" highlights how wealth disparities can exist even within families, reflecting broader patterns of economic inequality.