for appearances

USAGE SUMMARY

"for appearances" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means doing something for the sake of appearing a certain way, rather than for a genuine reason or purpose. Example: She invited her ex-boyfriend to dinner for appearances, even though she had no intention of getting back together with him.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Requests for appearances come in almost daily.

The New York Times

That certainly did wonders for appearances.

The New York Times

She is booked for appearances on major talk shows.

The Guardian - Music

"He's just grown it for appearances," said his mum.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Advisers parcel out assignments for appearances on cable and network television to make the administration's case.

The New York Times

I should have been able to shut off that judgment, that concern for appearances.

The New Yorker

He can name his price for appearances now, half a mill here, half a mill there.

Independent

Some have been flown to Paris, Berlin and Brussels for appearances.

The New York Times

In some countries, even male prostitutes often marry for appearances' sake.

The New York Times

Except for appearances by guest conductors, the entire Philharmonic season should be "Gilbert's Playlist".

The New York Times - Arts

Back in the U.S., he gets married, as much for appearances' sake as for companionship.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for appearances" when you want to highlight that an action is primarily motivated by the desire to create a specific impression, rather than by genuine intent or feeling.

Common error

While "for appearances" is a useful phrase, overuse can make your writing sound cynical. Consider alternative ways to express the same idea, such as specifying the intended impression or the underlying motivation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for appearances" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to explain the reason or motive behind an action. It clarifies that the action is performed to create a certain impression, aligning with what Ludwig AI identifies as doing something to appear a certain way rather than for a genuine purpose.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for appearances" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that an action is performed primarily to create a certain impression, rather than out of genuine intent. As Ludwig AI points out, it highlights a discrepancy between outward behavior and underlying motivation. Its frequent use in news and media contexts suggests its relevance in analyzing public actions and statements. While generally neutral in tone, overuse of "for appearances" can lead to a cynical tone, so consider alternatives to add nuance to your writing. The phrase serves as a valuable tool for critical analysis, allowing writers to dissect motivations and uncover the potential gap between actions and intentions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to keep up appearances

This alternative emphasizes the effort to maintain a specific image, often in the face of underlying issues.

for show

This is a more direct and concise way of saying something is done to impress others.

ostensibly

This adverb indicates that something is presented as being true, but might not actually be the case.

on the surface

This phrase suggests that the true nature of something is different from how it appears initially.

to create an impression

This highlights the intention behind the action, which is to form a certain image in the minds of others.

to put on a front

This implies deception or masking of true feelings or intentions.

superficially

This adverb indicates that something is done or considered only at a surface level.

to make a pretense

This phrase emphasizes the act of feigning or pretending.

outwardly

Focuses on external appearance, suggesting a contrast with inner reality.

on the face of it

Indicates a judgment based solely on initial observation, potentially misleading.

FAQs

How can I use "for appearances" in a sentence?

You can use "for appearances" to indicate that someone is doing something to maintain a certain image or to deceive others. For example: "He donated to the charity "for appearances", but he didn't really care about the cause."

What is a more formal alternative to "for appearances"?

A more formal alternative could be "ostensibly" or "on the surface". For example, instead of saying "He did it "for appearances"", you could say "He did it ostensibly to improve his reputation".

Is it always negative to do something "for appearances"?

While often used in a negative context to imply insincerity, doing something "for appearances" isn't always bad. Sometimes, maintaining a certain image can be important for professional or social reasons.

What's the difference between "for appearances" and "to keep up appearances"?

"For appearances" describes a single action done to create an impression, while "to keep up appearances" implies a sustained effort to maintain a specific image over time.