very underprivileged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very underprivileged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a significant lack of resources or opportunities experienced by individuals or groups. Example: "The charity focuses on providing support to very underprivileged communities in the region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

When he came from Somalia at nine, he was a very underprivileged child, his language skills were poor, and he kept getting into trouble.

The Guardian - Sport

In fact, this flourishing generation I'm referring to is actually a group of over 1,500 very underprivileged Afghan children, mostly orphans.

Huffington Post

Again an index per census block was distributed in quintiles, ranging from very well off (level 1) to very underprivileged (level 5).

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

An algebraic combination of these factors was used to create an index of socioeconomic position by census block, with the corresponding population distributed in quintiles, ranging from very well off (level 1) to very underprivileged (level 5).

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

All of which serves to underline the importance of very the underprivileged (he's got over it) Alan Milburn's latest push – reported here by Patrick Wintour – to ensure that people's backgrounds, their educational contextual data, is taken into account when handing out life's plums, including Oxbridge places.

The Guardian

Whenever "you are somehow critiquing the system in place at the moment," that's "very appealing to the underprivileged members of society," Sachedina said.

Huffington Post

The current pilot study was not aimed at demonstrating significant visual improvement or flattening of the macula after injection but aimed at proving the concept that ziv-aflibercept is a potential substitute for aflibercept, especially in underprivileged countries with a very low national income, in the same way as bevacizumab is an economic substitute for ranibizumab.

British Journal of Ophthalmology

Steve: She really wanted to help underprivileged kids.

The New York Times

Obama has vocally praised their work, most notably in the third and final presidential debate, while simultaneously speaking out against the DC opportunity scholarships, a voucher programme through which about 2,000 underprivileged DC students attend the very private schools the Obamas are considering for their own daughters.

The Guardian - Opinion

As one Delhi-based blogger said: "It is easy to find instances of media manufactured struggles in India if the victims are elite, educated or middle class but to say the same for this very media taking up the causes of the underprivileged, oppressed or rural masses is difficult.

The Guardian

While the rest of Houston busily displayed its beneficent side reaping copious international praise in the process Barbara Bush looked around at the shell-shocked evacuees in the Astrodome and voiced her fear that they might stick around: "…so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this is working very well for them".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about specific communities, consider using more precise terms to show respect and avoid generalizations, for example, by specifying whether you are referring to economic, educational, or social disadvantages.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on the term "very underprivileged" without providing specific details or context. Clearly articulate the nature of the disadvantage to enhance understanding and prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very underprivileged" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to emphasize a severe lack of resources and opportunities. It is used to highlight the disadvantaged status of individuals or groups, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "very underprivileged" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes a significant lack of resources and opportunities. Ludwig AI indicates that it's mainly found in news, media, and scientific contexts, carrying a neutral to formal register. While the phrase is valid, it's beneficial to provide specific details about the nature of the disadvantage to avoid vagueness and promote clear communication. Alternatives such as "extremely disadvantaged" or "highly impoverished" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely disadvantaged

Emphasizes the extent of disadvantage experienced.

highly impoverished

Focuses on the severe lack of financial resources.

severely deprived

Highlights the lack of essential needs and opportunities.

deeply impoverished

Stresses the depth of poverty and its impact.

acutely disadvantaged

Indicates a sharp and significant level of disadvantage.

seriously deprived

Emphasizes the gravity of the deprivation.

grossly underprivileged

Highlights a stark and unacceptable level of disadvantage.

utterly destitute

Indicates a complete lack of resources and means.

economically marginalized

Focuses on the economic exclusion and disadvantage.

socially disadvantaged

Highlights the disadvantage stemming from social factors and inequalities.

FAQs

What does "very underprivileged" mean?

The term "very underprivileged" describes individuals or groups experiencing a significant lack of resources, opportunities, and advantages compared to the general population.

What are some alternatives to saying "very underprivileged"?

Alternatives include "extremely disadvantaged", "highly impoverished", or "severely deprived", depending on the specific context you want to emphasize.

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

You can use "very underprivileged" to describe populations or communities, such as: "The program aims to support the very underprivileged children in the region."

Is it better to use "underprivileged" or "disadvantaged"?

While both terms are often used interchangeably, "disadvantaged" may be preferred in some contexts as it can encompass a broader range of challenges beyond economic factors. Consider the specific situation you're describing when choosing between "underprivileged" and "disadvantaged".