For goodness sake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "For goodness sake" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express frustration, annoyance, or exasperation in a mild manner. Example: "For goodness sake, can we please just agree on a plan and move forward?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"For goodness sake, be careful.

The New York Times

For goodness' sake, it's an insult.

The Guardian - Money

For goodness' sake, this isn't the 1850s.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

For goodness' sake, avoid the word "prank".

The New Yorker

For goodness sake!

Vice

For goodness' sake!

Huffington Post

For goodness sake, I have a PhD.

Huffington Post

For goodness' sake, I was only 19!

Huffington Post

So be good for goodness sake!

The Guardian

"Just be good for goodness' sake".

The New York Times

Be good for goodness' sake.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "For goodness sake" to express mild annoyance or exasperation without being overly offensive. It's a polite way to show your frustration in everyday conversations.

Common error

Avoid using "For goodness sake" too frequently in your writing or speech, as it can make you sound overly dramatic or consistently annoyed. Vary your expressions to maintain a balanced and natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "For goodness sake" functions primarily as an interjection or exclamation. It is used to express a range of emotions, including frustration, annoyance, surprise, or exasperation. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "For goodness sake" is a very common exclamatory phrase used to express a range of emotions, from mild annoyance to exasperation. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage and prevalence across various contexts, predominantly in news and media. While grammatically correct and widely understood, its register is neutral, making it suitable for everyday conversations but potentially less appropriate for highly formal writing. Alternatives like "for heaven's sake" or "for Pete's sake" offer similar expressions of frustration. Remember to use the phrase judiciously to avoid sounding overly dramatic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

For heaven's sake

Employs "heaven" instead of "goodness" to convey a similar sense of mild exasperation.

For Pete's sake

Uses "Pete" as a substitute for "goodness" or "heaven", maintaining a similar level of informality and frustration.

For crying out loud

Expresses a higher degree of frustration or annoyance compared to the original phrase.

Good heavens

Shortened version expressing surprise or mild shock, similar in tone but more concise.

Oh, come on

Indicates disbelief or impatience, serving a comparable function in casual conversation.

Give me a break

Expresses disbelief or exasperation, often used when someone is being unreasonable.

Enough already

Signals the speaker's desire for something to stop, showing impatience or annoyance.

Seriously?

Questions the validity or sensibility of something, implying disbelief or annoyance.

What on earth

Expresses surprise or confusion, often used in response to an unexpected or strange event.

Are you kidding me?

Conveys disbelief or frustration, questioning the other person's seriousness or reasonableness.

FAQs

How can I use "For goodness sake" in a sentence?

"For goodness sake" is typically used to express frustration, annoyance, or mild surprise. For example: "For goodness sake, can't you be on time for once?"

What phrases are similar to "For goodness sake"?

Alternatives to "For goodness sake" include "for heaven's sake", "for Pete's sake", and "good heavens". The choice depends on the context and the level of formality desired.

Is "For goodness sake" appropriate in formal writing?

While generally considered mild, "For goodness sake" is better suited for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using more neutral or professional language.

What's the origin of the expression "For goodness sake"?

The phrase "For goodness sake" is a minced oath, a softened version of "For God's sake", used to avoid direct use of the deity's name, particularly when expressing strong emotion.