Plural of ‘Poor’: Definition, Usage, Rules, Examples & Common Mistakes

by

Forming plurals in English is usually a straightforward process, but certain words present unique challenges. One such word is ‘poor’, which can confuse even advanced learners and native speakers when it shifts from an adjective to a noun. The plural usage of ‘poor’ is not only a matter of grammar, but also touches on social, literary, and linguistic nuance.

Understanding when and how to use ‘poor,’ ‘the poor,’ or other forms is crucial for clear, accurate English. This knowledge is particularly important for students, teachers, non-native speakers, writers, and editors—anyone aiming for mastery of nuanced English grammar. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore every aspect of the plural of ‘poor’, from basic rules to advanced usage, with abundant examples, tables, and practice exercises.

Table of Contents

3. Definition Section

3.1. What is the Word ‘Poor’?

The word ‘poor’ is most commonly used as an adjective to describe someone or something lacking money, resources, or quality. For example: a poor student, poor soil.

When we say ‘the poor’, we use it as a noun phrase to refer collectively to people who are poor, as in: The poor need our support.

3.2. Grammatical Classification

  • Adjective: Describes a noun (e.g., a poor child).
  • Noun phrase (collective): ‘The poor’ = poor people as a group.

Collective nouns describe a group of people or things as a single entity, often using a plural verb. ‘The poor’ functions this way.

3.3. Function in Sentences

  • As a modifier (adjective): poor directly describes a noun: They live in a poor area.
  • As a noun phrase: the poor is the subject/object: The poor are often overlooked.
  • ‘Poors’ as a noun: This is not standard English but may be seen in creative or dialectal writing. Example: He gave charity to the poors. (Incorrect in standard English)

3.4. Usage Contexts

  • ‘Poor’ as adjective: Used whenever a noun needs to be described (e.g., That was a poor performance.)
  • ‘The poor’ as noun: Used in discussions of society, policy, or literature (The poor suffer most in economic crises.)
  • Examples from literature: “Blessed are the poor in spirit…” (Bible); “Charity for the poor” (newspaper headline)

4. Structural Breakdown

4.1. Making Plurals in English

Most English nouns form their plural by adding -s or -es: book → books, box → boxes. Some have irregular plurals: child → children.

Adjectives in English do not change for plural nouns; they remain the same for singular and plural.

4.2. ‘Poor’ as an Adjective: Pluralization Issues

In English, adjectives do not take plural forms. ‘Poor’ stays the same whether the noun it modifies is singular or plural.

Table 1: Adjective Pluralization in English vs. Romance Languages
Language Singular Plural
English a poor child poor children
Spanish niño pobre niños pobres
French enfant pauvre enfants pauvres

Notice that in English, poor never becomes poors as an adjective.

4.3. ‘Poor’ as a Noun: Plural Forms

When used as a collective noun, the poor refers to all poor people as a group. It is already plural in meaning and always takes a plural verb: The poor are struggling.

If referring to just one person, we use a poor person or one of the poor.

  • Singular: a poor person
  • Plural/Collective: the poor

4.4. The Incorrect Form ‘Poors’

In standard English, poors is incorrect. We never say “many poors” or “the poors” to mean “poor people.”

However, in some dialects, poetic, or creative writing, poors may occasionally appear, usually to create a specific effect or mimic nonstandard speech. This is rare and not recommended in formal writing.

4.5. Other Noun Forms and Derivatives

  • Pauper: A person who is extremely poor.
  • Poverty: The state of being poor (noun).
  • Impoverished: Made poor (adjective).
  • Destitute: Extremely poor (adjective/noun).

5. Types or Categories

5.1. ‘Poor’ as Descriptive Adjective

  • Used before nouns: a poor family, poor children
  • Used after linking verbs: She is poor.

5.2. ‘The Poor’ as a Collective Noun

Used to refer to a group or class of people: The poor face many challenges.

This usage is common in social, academic, and literary contexts.

5.3. Regional or Nonstandard Pluralizations

In some dialects, regional English, or creative writing, you may occasionally see ‘poors’ as a plural noun. This is not standard and is typically used for stylistic effect.

Table 2: Standard vs. Nonstandard Regional Forms
Standard English Nonstandard/Dialect/Creative
the poor the poors
poor people poors (rare, nonstandard)
  • the needy
  • the impoverished
  • the underprivileged
  • the destitute
  • the disadvantaged

6. Examples Section

6.1. Adjective Usage Examples

  • She grew up in a poor neighborhood.
  • They donated clothes to poor children.
  • The poor farmer could not afford new equipment.
  • He made a poor decision.
  • Our team had a poor performance last night.
  • That’s a poor excuse for missing class.
  • The movie received poor reviews.
  • I feel poor after working all day. (colloquial meaning: unwell)
  • The poor animal was rescued by volunteers.
  • Many poor families struggle to pay rent.
  • She is poor in mathematics but strong in English.
  • This is a poor copy of the original painting.
Table 3: ‘Poor’ as Adjective in Different Structures
Structure Example Sentence
Before noun a poor student
After linking verb He is poor.
With plural noun poor children
With uncountable noun poor quality

6.2. Collective Noun Usage: ‘The Poor’

  • The poor have limited access to healthcare.
  • Charity organizations help the poor and homeless.
  • The government should assist the poor.
  • Many policies ignore the poor.
  • Education is key to lifting the poor out of poverty.
  • The poor are often marginalized in society.
  • He has a heart for the poor.
  • Some believe that the poor should receive more benefits.
  • The poor suffer most during economic crises.
  • Volunteers distributed food to the poor.
  • Public health campaigns often target the poor.
  • The voices of the poor are rarely heard in politics.
Table 4: ‘The Poor’ in Subject, Object, and Possessive Uses
Function Example
Subject The poor are struggling.
Object The charity helps the poor.
Possessive The poor’s access to education is limited.

6.3. Incorrect Usage: ‘Poors’

Below are examples of incorrect usage, with corrections and notes:

  • We must help the poors. → We must help the poor.
  • Charity for many poors. → Charity for many poor people.
  • There are several poors in this town. → There are several poor people in this town.
  • She gives food to poors. → She gives food to the poor.
  • These poors need support. → These poor people need support.

Note: In all cases above, ‘poors’ is incorrect in standard English.

6.4. Comparative and Superlative Forms

  • She is poorer than her neighbors.
  • This is the poorest region in the country.
  • He became poorer after losing his job.
  • Among all the students, Jack had the poorest results.
  • They are poorer now than they were last year.

6.5. Creative or Literary Uses

  • He wandered among the poors, feeling their suffering. (poetic, nonstandard)
  • The poors of the city gathered in the square. (archaic or literary)
  • The rich and the poors are divided by a wall. (intentional nonstandard for effect)
  • They wrote of the poors with great compassion. (creative writing)
  • In some distant lands, the poors have no voice. (journalistic, rare)

6.6. Synonym Substitution Examples

Table 5: Replacing ‘the poor’ with Synonyms
Original Sentence With Synonym
The poor need more opportunities. The underprivileged need more opportunities.
The poor often lack access to education. The disadvantaged often lack access to education.
The poor deserve respect and dignity. The impoverished deserve respect and dignity.
Charities work to help the poor. Charities work to help the needy.
The poor are affected most by inflation. The destitute are affected most by inflation.

7. Usage Rules

7.1. Adjective Rules: No Pluralization

Adjectives in English do not change their form for singular or plural nouns.

Table 6: Adjectives with Singular and Plural Nouns
Singular Plural
a poor child poor children
a rich man rich men
a happy family happy families
an old woman old women

Rule: Adjectives are invariable in number in English.

7.2. Noun Rules: Collective Noun Structure

  • ‘The poor’ is a plural, collective noun phrase.
  • It always takes a plural verb: The poor are…
  • To refer to one person: a poor person.

7.3. Articles and Determiners

  • Use ‘the’ with ‘poor’ to form the collective noun: the poor.
  • Do not say a poor to refer to one person; use a poor person.
  • ‘Poor people’ can be used without ‘the’: Poor people need support.

7.4. Sentence Position and Syntax

  • As an adjective: before nouns (a poor child), after linking verbs (He is poor).
  • As a noun: ‘the poor’ as subject/object (The poor are suffering. She helps the poor.)

7.5. Exceptions and Edge Cases

  • Nonstandard regional English may use poors, but this is rare.
  • Poetic license allows nonstandard forms for effect.
  • Errors in translation from languages that pluralize adjectives may result in ‘poors.’

7.6. Special Cases: Other Adjective-Formed Nouns

Other adjectives form collective nouns with ‘the’ in the same way as ‘the poor’:

Table 7: Adjective-Formed Collective Nouns
Adjective Collective Noun Example
poor the poor The poor are struggling.
rich the rich The rich often have more privileges.
elderly the elderly The elderly need special care.
young the young The young adapt quickly.

8. Common Mistakes

8.1. Using ‘Poors’ as a Plural Noun

  • The poors are suffering. → The poor are suffering.
  • Many poors live here. → Many poor people live here.

8.2. Pluralizing Adjectives

  • Poors children need help. → Poor children need help.
  • She is poors. → She is poor.

8.3. Subject-Verb Agreement Errors

  • The poor is suffering. → The poor are suffering.
  • The poor needs help. → The poor need help.

8.4. Article Misuse

  • Poor need support. → The poor need support.
  • A poor should be helped. → A poor person should be helped.

8.5. Confusing with Synonyms

  • The impoverisheds are suffering. → The impoverished are suffering.
  • The needies need help. → The needy need help.

8.6. Table 8: Common Mistakes and Corrections

Table 8: Common Mistakes and Corrections
Incorrect Correction Explanation
The poors are suffering. The poor are suffering. ‘Poors’ is not a correct plural noun.
Many poors live here. Many poor people live here. Use ‘poor people’ instead of ‘poors’.
Poors children need help. Poor children need help. Adjectives are not pluralized in English.
The poor is suffering. The poor are suffering. ‘The poor’ is plural and takes a plural verb.
A poor should be helped. A poor person should be helped. Specify ‘person’ to refer to an individual.
The needies need help. The needy need help. ‘Needy’ is already a collective noun.

9. Practice Exercises

9.1. Fill-in-the-Blank (10 Questions)

  1. They distributed food to __________. (the poor / poors)
  2. This is a __________ area. (poor / poors)
  3. __________ are often overlooked by society. (The poor / The poors)
  4. She helps __________ families in her community. (poor / poors)
  5. Many __________ need medical care. (poor people / poors)
  6. He grew up as __________. (a poor / a poor person)
  7. __________ are suffering the most during this crisis. (The poor / The poors)
  8. We should support __________. (the impoverished / the impoverisheds)
  9. He made a __________ decision. (poor / poors)
  10. __________ often lack basic necessities. (The needy / The needies)

9.2. Correction Exercises (10 Sentences)

  1. The poors are suffering.
  2. She is a poors woman.
  3. Many poors live here.
  4. The poor is ignored.
  5. Poors children need education.
  6. He helps the poors in his city.
  7. A poor should be helped.
  8. The needies have no home.
  9. This is poors neighborhood.
  10. The impoverisheds are often forgotten.

9.3. Identification Exercises (5 Sentences)

Identify whether ‘poor’ is used as an adjective, a noun, or incorrectly.

  1. The poor need assistance.
  2. Poor children need shoes.
  3. She is poors.
  4. The poors have no food.
  5. This is a poor performance.

9.4. Sentence Construction (5 Prompts)

  1. Use ‘the poor’ as the subject of a sentence about housing.
  2. Use ‘poor’ as an adjective before a plural noun.
  3. Use ‘the poor’ as the object of a verb.
  4. Write a sentence comparing two people using ‘poorer.’
  5. Write a sentence using ‘the poor’ in a possessive form.

9.5. Multiple Choice (5 Questions)

  1. Which is correct?
    a) He helps the poors.
    b) He helps the poor.
    c) He helps poors people.
  2. Choose the correct sentence:
    a) Poor children need help.
    b) Poors children need help.
    c) Children poors need help.
  3. Which is standard English?
    a) The poor is hungry.
    b) The poor are hungry.
    c) The poors are hungry.
  4. Select the correct usage:
    a) She donated to the impoverished.
    b) She donated to the impoverisheds.
    c) She donated to impoverisheds.
  5. Which phrase is correct?
    a) A poor person
    b) A poor
    c) The poors

9.6. Answer Key

  1. the poor
  2. poor
  3. The poor
  4. poor
  5. poor people
  6. a poor person
  7. The poor
  8. the impoverished
  9. poor
  10. The needy
  1. The poor are suffering. (Correction: ‘poors’ → ‘poor’)
  2. She is a poor woman. (Correction: adjectives are not pluralized)
  3. Many poor people live here. (Correction: ‘poors’ → ‘poor people’)
  4. The poor are ignored. (Correction: plural verb with ‘the poor’)
  5. Poor children need education. (Correction: ‘poors’ → ‘poor’)
  6. He helps the poor in his city. (Correction: ‘poors’ → ‘poor’)
  7. A poor person should be helped. (Correction: specify ‘person’)
  8. The needy have no home. (Correction: ‘needies’ → ‘needy’)
  9. This is a poor neighborhood. (Correction: ‘poors’ → ‘poor’)
  10. The impoverished are often forgotten. (Correction: ‘impoverisheds’ → ‘impoverished’)
  1. Noun (collective)
  2. Adjective
  3. Incorrect
  4. Incorrect
  5. Adjective
  1. The poor struggle to find affordable housing.
  2. Poor families face many challenges.
  3. We must support the poor.
  4. She is poorer than her sister.
  5. The poor’s needs should be addressed.
  1. b) He helps the poor.
  2. a) Poor children need help.
  3. b) The poor are hungry.
  4. a) She donated to the impoverished.
  5. a) A poor person

10. Advanced Topics

10.1. Historical Development of ‘The Poor’ as a Collective Noun

The use of adjectives with ‘the’ to create collective nouns dates back to Middle English. ‘The poor’ as a group term became prominent in the 16th and 17th centuries, influenced by religious and legal texts discussing charity and social classes.

10.2. Sociolinguistic Perspectives

Language surrounding poverty reflects social attitudes. Using the poor can be seen as depersonalizing, focusing on the group rather than individuals. Alternatives like people living in poverty may be preferred in sensitive contexts.

10.3. Comparison with Other Languages

Other languages often pluralize adjectives or use noun phrases for similar meanings.

Table 9: Pluralization Comparison (English vs. Other Languages)
Language Adjective Form Collective Noun / Plural Example
English poor the poor The poor need help.
Spanish pobre los pobres Los pobres necesitan ayuda.
French pauvre les pauvres Les pauvres ont besoin d’aide.
German arm die Armen Die Armen brauchen Hilfe.

10.4. Register and Formality

  • Formal: the poor, the impoverished, the disadvantaged
  • Informal: poor people, needy people
  • In very formal writing, people living in poverty may be used to avoid potential stigma.

10.5. Stylistic Variation in Literature and Media

Writers sometimes use nonstandard forms (poors) for character voice, dialect, or artistic effect. In journalism and policy, the poor is common, but alternatives may be used for clarity or sensitivity.

10.6. Corpus-Based Frequency Analysis

  • ‘poor’ (adjective) is very common in both spoken and written English.
  • ‘the poor’ (collective noun) is common in formal, academic, and literary texts.
  • ‘poors’ is extremely rare, mostly found in nonstandard, dialectal, or creative contexts.

11. FAQ Section

  1. Is ‘poors’ ever correct in English?
    No, ‘poors’ is not correct in standard English. The correct form is the poor or poor people. ‘Poors’ may appear in creative or dialectal writing but should be avoided in proper usage.
  2. Why can’t adjectives like ‘poor’ be pluralized?
    In English, adjectives do not change form to match the number or gender of the nouns they modify. Whether the noun is singular or plural, the adjective remains unchanged.
  3. What is the difference between ‘poor people’ and ‘the poor’?
    Both refer to people lacking wealth, but ‘the poor’ is a collective noun phrase, often used in formal contexts. ‘Poor people’ is more specific and less formal.
  4. Should I use ‘the poor is’ or ‘the poor are’?
    Always use ‘the poor are’. ‘The poor’ is a plural noun phrase and takes a plural verb.
  5. Can ‘the poor’ refer to a single person?
    No. To refer to one individual, use a poor person or one of the poor.
  6. Are there any exceptions where ‘poors’ is acceptable?
    ‘Poors’ may be used in poetry, creative writing, or some dialects, but it is not acceptable in standard English.
  7. How is ‘the poor’ used in formal vs. informal English?
    ‘The poor’ is more formal and collective. In informal speech, people often use ‘poor people.’
  8. What are some synonyms for ‘the poor’?
    Synonyms include ‘the needy,’ ‘the impoverished,’ ‘the underprivileged,’ ‘the destitute,’ ‘the disadvantaged.’
  9. How do you pluralize ‘poor’ in other languages?
    Many languages pluralize adjectives to match plural nouns (e.g., Spanish: los pobres, French: les pauvres).
  10. Can I say ‘many poors’ to mean many poor people?
    No. Say many poor people or the poor.
  11. What is the possessive form of ‘the poor’?
    Use the poor’s (e.g., The poor’s needs must be addressed).
  12. How do I use ‘poorer’ and ‘poorest’ correctly?
    ‘Poorer’ is the comparative form (less wealthy); ‘poorest’ is the superlative (least wealthy). Example: She is poorer than her brother. This is the poorest city in the country.

12. Conclusion

To master the plural of ‘poor’, remember that ‘poor’ is an adjective and never takes a plural form, while ‘the poor’ is a collective noun referring to poor people as a group. Avoid ‘poors’ in standard English, and be aware of subject-verb agreement and article use. Understanding these distinctions will help you write and speak English more accurately and sensitively.

For further improvement, practice with real texts, consult grammar references, and engage in writing exercises. Mastery of nuanced grammar like this will enhance your command of English at all levels.

Leave a Comment