Grammar fix
low income
little money earned
Earning a small amount of money, especially compared to the average or what is needed for a comfortable life.
collocationB1common
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- Many families in the area have a low income and struggle to pay their bills.money
- In my opinion, people with low incomes should receive more support from the government, especially when it comes to healthcare and education.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: low income (noun phrase); have a low income; people with low incomes
WrongThey are a low income family.
RightThey are a low-income family.
Hyphenate before a noun — 'a low-income family'.
Patternlow income (noun phrase); have a low income; people with low incomes
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'On a low income' is natural; 'subsist on diminished earnings' is jargon.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
low incomeon ahouseholdsfamiliesearners
Don't confuse it
Contrast with 'high income', which means earning a lot of money.