poverty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "poverty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing issues related to economic hardship, lack of resources, or social inequality. Example: "The government needs to implement policies that effectively address poverty in our communities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Austerity, poverty and exclusion risk robbing an entire generation of healthy, productive lives across a continent that undervalues the benefits of universal healthcare.

The Guardian

Charities and the non-government sector welcomed elements of Bishop's proposals, such as the focus on female involvement and performance benchmarks, but raised concern over the need to ensure benefits from "aid for trade" flowed to the people in greatest need and reduced poverty.

The Guardian

Helen Szoke, chief executive of Oxfam Australia, said her organisation "would have put the reduction of poverty as the first benchmark" in the revamped aid program and was "cautious" about the role of the private sector.

The Guardian

"This is the global target to end poverty".

The New York Times - Magazine

The CDC will be required to put poverty alleviation at the heart of its operations.

The Guardian

Where hay rattle has stemmed the vigour of grasses, wildflowers are benefiting; one of many farming names for this plant was "poverty".

The Guardian

Inside the country, Fidesz has favoured the middle class, and especially the upper middle class, thereby building a core clientele of politically active supporters – while slashing benefits for the neediest (about a third of Hungarians live in poverty – don't be fooled by the glittering, EU-funded projects in the centre of Budapest).

The Guardian - Opinion

It is not a path to the eradication of poverty but only a measure to ease it.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We have a whole new generation that is interested in climate change", he said as he predicted that putting taxes on the use of carbon would trigger a wave of clean technology which would lift people out of poverty in the developing world while preventing the global temperature from rising by more than 2C above pre-industrial levels.

The Guardian

But while locals that are savvy enough to jump ship can prosper, those wedded to the traditional pastoral life are pushed into deep poverty.

The Guardian

Luxury tourist travel in a country with widespread problems with poverty and malnutrition can sit uncomfortably with some, but Griffin points out that this would be a difficult dilemma to address had he been a tourist in any developing country.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use data and statistics to support claims about "poverty" to enhance credibility and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "poverty" interchangeably with inequality. "Poverty" refers to the state of lacking basic resources, while inequality refers to the uneven distribution of resources within a population.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "poverty" is as a noun, referring to the state of being poor or lacking sufficient resources. Ludwig AI examples show its usage in various contexts, highlighting different facets of this complex issue.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "poverty" is a common noun referring to the state of being poor. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English, making it suitable for various contexts from news reports to academic analyses. While generally neutral, usage should be specific (e.g., food "poverty") for clarity. Alternatives include "indigence" or "destitution" for more extreme cases. Remember to differentiate between "poverty" (lacking resources) and inequality (uneven distribution). The term appears most frequently in News & Media, reflecting its relevance in current affairs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Penury

Refers to extreme and often inescapable poverty.

Indigence

Refers specifically to a state of extreme poverty, often lacking basic necessities.

Destitution

Implies a complete lack of resources and means of support.

Impoverishment

Highlights the process of becoming poor or depleted of resources.

Poorness

A general term indicating a lack of wealth or resources.

Financial hardship

Focuses on the difficulties caused by a lack of money.

Lack of resources

Broadly describes the absence of necessary materials or assets.

Economic deprivation

Emphasizes the disadvantage resulting from a lack of economic opportunities.

State of need

Indicates a condition where basic requirements are unmet.

Underprivileged circumstances

Focuses on the disadvantages stemming from a lack of opportunities and resources.

FAQs

How can I use "poverty" in a sentence?

You can use "poverty" to describe a state of lacking sufficient resources or means. For instance, "The organization aims to alleviate "poverty" in rural communities."

What are some alternatives to the word "poverty"?

Alternatives include "indigence", "destitution", or "financial hardship", depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "poverty" and "inequality"?

"Poverty" refers to the state of being without sufficient resources, while "inequality" refers to the unequal distribution of resources or opportunities. They are related but distinct concepts.

Is it correct to say "poverty line" or should I use another term?

"Poverty line" is a widely accepted term that refers to the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. It is used to measure the extent of "poverty".