underserved

USAGE SUMMARY

"underserved" is an accepted and correct word in written English.
You can use it to describe a group or area of people or places that do not receive enough basic services or support. For example, "Many rural communities are underserved in terms of access to healthcare."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This year, the station has chosen to pitch up in the north-east, a part of England perennially underserved by touring bands.

The Guardian - Music

They even may be a bit silly, but proceeds go to help underserved public schools.

The Guardian

The iconic beach resort and surrounding neighbourhood are "underutilised, underdesigned and underserved," says Robert Lieber, New York's deputy mayor.

The Economist

This forces underserved small companies to rely on their own savings to finance their ventures.It is saving by companies, not households, that accounts for most of the increase in China's thrift over recent years.

The Economist

The technology will initially appeal to those underserved by reality.

The Economist

Larry Hackett, the editor of People, reckons that the public appetite for entertainment news was underserved until recently.

The Economist

Strewn through the proposed law are words such as "affordable", "equal access" and "underserved communities", which suggest that lending decisions will be based on political rather than credit criteria.

The Economist

They are supposed to drive innovation and finance parts of China's economy underserved by the banks.

The Economist

AFRICAN consumers are underserved and overcharged, reckons Frank Braeken, Unilever's boss in Africa.

The Economist

In Georgia, for instance, which is a heavily agricultural state, there are medically underserved areas or populations in 144 of the state's 159 counties.

The Economist

"In some of these places, half the people are jobless and the other half work for us," says Anna Sierpinska, Biedronka's communications chief.Ironically, Poland is relatively underserved by hypermarkets and supermarkets, which account for only 35-40% of its food and personal-care markets (compared with, say, 60% in the Czech Republic), according to a new report from AC Nielsen, a research firm.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific group as "underserved", clearly specify which service or resource they lack to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "underserved" without specifying the area of need. For example, instead of saying "the community is underserved", specify "the community is underserved in terms of healthcare access".

Linguistic Context

The adjective "underserved" primarily functions to describe a noun, typically a population, community, or area, that does not receive an adequate level of services or resources. Ludwig confirms its proper use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academic sources

8%

Reference sources

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "underserved" effectively describes populations or areas lacking adequate services or resources. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct adjective widely used across various reputable sources. It commonly appears in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Scientific contexts. To enhance clarity, it's best practice to specify the area of need when using "underserved". Alternatives include "under-resourced" or "underprivileged", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to avoid overgeneralization by always specifying the service or resource that is lacking. In summary, "underserved" is a powerful term for highlighting disparities and advocating for improved access and support.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking adequate services

Directly points out the insufficiency of services.

poorly served

Highlights the quality of service received.

under-resourced

Focuses on the lack of resources available.

inadequately provided for

Stresses the insufficient level of provision.

underprivileged

Highlights the disadvantaged social status.

underfunded

Specifically relates to financial inadequacy.

disadvantaged

Emphasizes the negative impact of the lack of services.

deprived

Emphasizes the state of being without essential provisions.

neglected

Focuses on the lack of attention or care.

unserved

Indicates a complete absence of services.

FAQs

How can I use "underserved" in a sentence?

You can use "underserved" to describe a population or area that lacks adequate resources or services, such as "The rural community is "underserved" by public transportation".

What is a synonym for "underserved"?

Alternatives to "underserved" include "under-resourced", "underprivileged", or "lacking adequate services", depending on the specific context.

What does it mean for a community to be "underserved"?

When a community is described as "underserved", it means that its residents do not have sufficient access to essential services such as healthcare, education, or infrastructure.

Is it appropriate to use "underserved" in formal writing?

Yes, "underserved" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a neutral and widely accepted term for describing a lack of adequate services or resources. However, ensure clarity by specifying what services are lacking.