very poor

USAGE SUMMARY

"very poor" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a person's or a group's financial or economic status. Example: The city's homeless population consists of many individuals who are very poor and struggle to meet their basic needs.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Very poor.

The Guardian - Sport

"They are very poor.

Independent

He died very poor.

The Economist

That was very poor".

The New York Times

He was very poor.

The New Yorker

"Very poor people".

The New Yorker

I am very poor.

The Economist

But they're very poor.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Very poor offensively and defensively.

The New York Times - Sports

The family was very poor.

The New Yorker

Our finishing was very poor".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "very poor" to describe economic conditions, provide specific examples or details to illustrate the extent of the poverty, such as lack of access to healthcare, education, or basic necessities.

Common error

Avoid using "very poor" as a blanket statement without supporting evidence. Instead, offer concrete observations or data points to substantiate your assessment of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very poor" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It serves to describe a state of deficiency or inadequacy, typically related to financial resources or quality. Ludwig AI confirms its standard usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

25%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very poor" is a commonly used and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe a state of significant deficiency, particularly in financial resources or quality. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is frequently found in news reports, academic papers, and scientific articles, indicating a neutral level of formality. When using "very poor", it is best practice to provide concrete details and avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives such as "extremely impoverished" or "severely underprivileged" can provide different nuances depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely impoverished

Emphasizes the severity of poverty, indicating a deeper level of financial hardship.

severely underprivileged

Focuses on the significant lack of opportunities and resources due to socioeconomic factors.

acutely deprived

Highlights the stark absence of essential needs and comforts.

highly deficient

Indicates a significant lack or inadequacy in resources or qualities.

terribly inadequate

Emphasizes the insufficiency or unacceptability of something due to its poor quality or condition.

quite substandard

Suggests that something falls significantly below the expected or required standard.

remarkably inferior

Highlights the noticeable lower quality or status compared to something else.

exceptionally bad

Emphasizes the extreme negativity or unacceptability of something.

utterly inadequate

Stresses the complete lack of suitability or effectiveness for a particular purpose.

extremely substandard

Indicates something falls far below an acceptable level or standard.

FAQs

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

You can use "very poor" to describe the economic status of a person, region, or nation. For example, "The family was "very poor" and struggled to afford basic necessities."

What are some alternatives to saying "very poor"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "severely underprivileged", "extremely impoverished", or "acutely deprived" to express a similar idea.

Is it more appropriate to say "economically disadvantaged" or "very poor"?

While both terms describe a lack of financial resources, "economically disadvantaged" is often seen as a more formal and potentially less stigmatizing way to describe someone who is "very poor".

What's the difference between "poor" and "very poor"?

"Very poor" is a stronger and more emphatic way of saying "poor". It indicates a more severe or extreme state of poverty.