poorer

USAGE SUMMARY

"poorer" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as an adjective when describing someone or something that has a lower standard of living than another or when comparing two or more people, places, or things in terms of wealth or economic advantage. For example, "The town in the valley was much poorer than the city up the hill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just to insure that shirkers get what they deserve, we are prepared to make ourselves poorer.

The Economist

He may be poorer but wiser: research in recent years from both Harvard and the University of British Columbia shows that giving away money to others increases happiness.

The Guardian - Opinion

Resentment is often sparked by the variation in the policing of the rules rather than the law per se – with many complaining that the rich are unaffected by fines that can cripple poorer households.

The Guardian

Our tours, which for many of us were some of the best times of our lives, would have been much poorer without Patrick, and his devoted wife Judy.

The Guardian

There is interesting follow-up work to be done here on teachers', parents' and peers' responses to poorer children achieving grades above expectations, and indeed how this plays out across gender, ethnicity and for pupils with additional needs.

The Guardian

For example, the quality of relationships and decisions made on the basis of those relationships may be poorer.

The Guardian

This apartment – where it is, with the views it has – is unaffected by the issue of it being in Tower Hamlets, a traditionally poorer borough.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And it must be equitable - helping poorer countries adapt and to forge their own transition to a low-carbon future.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Conservatives admitted that "the Great Recession made many families poorer and life harder", but insisted that the best way to tackle poverty was through a strong economy.

The Guardian

Many will tell you they have not forgotten the "socialist republic of South Yorkshire" of the 80s, which they feel led to poorer (Labour-voting) parts of Sheffield getting preferential treatment – a divide some say continues today.

The Guardian

The report acknowledged that both programmes have benefited many young people in Uganda, especially those from poorer backgrounds, but added that "this achievement has been grossly watered down by the often inadequate, inefficient and ineffective response to inherent challenges".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the financial situations of different groups, use "poorer" to clearly indicate a lower economic status relative to another group. For example, "Poorer nations often face greater challenges in accessing healthcare".

Common error

Avoid using "poorer" as an absolute descriptor. Always use it comparatively, implying a comparison to another entity. Instead of saying "The family is poorer", specify "The family is poorer than it used to be" or "The family is poorer than their neighbors".

Linguistic Context

The term "poorer" functions primarily as a comparative adjective. It is used to describe something that is less wealthy or of lower quality than something else. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable form.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "poorer" is a comparative adjective indicating a lower level of wealth, quality, or condition. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. It's most frequently encountered in news and media contexts, where it serves to compare economic disparities and other inequalities. When using "poorer", always consider providing a clear basis for comparison to avoid ambiguity. While acceptable in various registers, ensure the context aligns with the intended nuance, whether emphasizing financial status, overall condition, or quality. Keep in mind that alternatives like "less wealthy" or "more impoverished" might offer greater precision depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less wealthy

Focuses specifically on financial status, emphasizing a lack of wealth.

less affluent

Similar to less wealthy, but with a focus on a comfortable standard of living.

economically weaker

Explicitly describes a country or region's economic standing.

more impoverished

Highlights a deeper state of poverty and deprivation.

more deprived

Highlights a lack of essential resources and opportunities.

in a worse state

Broadens the concept to encompass overall condition, not just financial.

in more straitened circumstances

Refers to difficult financial situations, often temporary.

of lower quality

Shifts the focus to the quality of something rather than financial status.

less fortunate

Emphasizes luck and circumstance rather than inherent financial status.

sliding into poverty

Describes a gradual decline into a state of being poor, emphasizing a downward trend.

FAQs

How can I use "poorer" in a sentence?

Use "poorer" to compare the relative wealth or quality of two or more entities. For example, "This year's harvest was "poorer" than last year's" or "The "poorer" countries are more vulnerable to climate change".

What's a good alternative to using "poorer"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "less wealthy", "more impoverished", or "less fortunate". Choose the alternative that best fits the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to explicitly state what something is "poorer" than?

Ideally, yes. While it might be implied from context, explicitly stating the basis of comparison ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity. For example, instead of "The community is "poorer"", say "The community is "poorer" compared to neighboring towns".

Can "poorer" refer to things other than financial wealth?

Yes, "poorer" can also refer to quality, health, or other abstract attributes. For instance, you might say "His health is "poorer" than it was last year" or "The soil quality is "poorer" on this side of the field".