for god's sake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for God's sake" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is an interjection used to express an urgent plea. For example: Please, for God's sake, just leave me alone.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She's innocent, for God's sake.

The Guardian

And he's Steve, for God's sake.

The New Yorker

"It's art, for God's sake".

Forbes

It's PINK, for God's sake.

Huffington Post

It's alive, for God's sake.

Huffington Post

He's Opie, for God's sake!

Huffington Post

It's just dresses, for God's sake".

The New Yorker

It's a pool party, for God's sake.

The New Yorker

It's cream, fat and sugar for God's sake.

Independent

It's a gazillion dollar industry, for god's sake".

BBC

For God's sake, organize.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for god's sake" sparingly to maintain its impact. Overuse can dilute its effect and make your writing sound overly dramatic or insincere.

Common error

Avoid using "for god's sake" in formal writing or professional settings. Its informal nature can undermine your credibility and make your message seem unprofessional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for god's sake" functions as an interjection. As Ludwig AI explains, it is used to express an urgent plea, frustration, exasperation, or strong emotion. It punctuates a statement with heightened feeling.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for god's sake" functions as an interjection used to express frustration, exasperation, or an urgent plea. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While grammatically sound and common, as shown by the 67 examples, its informal nature means it's best suited for casual conversations and less formal writing. Remember to use it sparingly to maintain its impact and avoid overuse. Consider alternatives like "for heaven's sake" or "for goodness' sake" when a milder tone is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for heaven's sake

Uses "heaven" instead of "God" to express a similar sentiment while being slightly less direct.

for the love of god

Expresses a more intense plea or frustration, emphasizing love rather than just the deity's name.

for goodness' sake

Replaces "God" with "goodness" to soften the expression, making it more polite.

for Pete's sake

A minced oath substituting "Pete" for "God" to avoid direct religious invocation.

for crying out loud

An exclamation of annoyance or disbelief, similar in tone but without religious connotations.

in god's name

Emphasizes the request or question with a more formal and intense tone.

what on earth

Expresses surprise, confusion, or annoyance about something.

would you please

A polite way to express a request with underlying frustration or impatience.

i implore you

A formal and serious way to beg someone to do something.

i beg you

A direct and earnest request, often used in situations of desperation.

FAQs

How to use "for god's sake" in a sentence?

Use "for god's sake" as an interjection to express frustration, exasperation, or an urgent plea. For example, "For god's sake, please be quiet!"

What can I say instead of "for god's sake"?

You can use alternatives like "for heaven's sake", "for goodness' sake", or "for Pete's sake" depending on the context.

Is "for god's sake" appropriate in formal writing?

No, "for god's sake" is generally not appropriate in formal writing. It's considered informal and can be seen as disrespectful or unprofessional. Opt for more neutral expressions in formal contexts.

What's the difference between "for god's sake" and "in god's name"?

"For god's sake" expresses frustration or urgency, while "in god's name" is often used to emphasize a question or request, sometimes with a hint of disbelief or indignation.