for god sake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for God's sake" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used as an interjection to express disbelief, urgency, or annoyance. For example, you could write: "I told you a hundred times, for God's sake!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

She tweeted, "For god sake Paul McMullen, shut your sickening trap".

The New Yorker

"Better than whose, for God sake?" we always want to know.

The New Yorker

Another woman, a younger matron with a small daughter, impulsively grabbed the old lady's arm and squeaked, "For God sake, tell me where you got her!" View Article By Alan Burdick By Larissa MacFarquhar By Phil Klay By Amanda Petrusich.

The New Yorker

A Christian blogger in Canada last year unearthed a missing apostrophe in her edition - "If we are crazy, it's for God sake", 2 Corinthians 5 13 - and was so shocked she wrote an entire post about it.

BBC

"[I]f you have kids for god sake let them in the shed or at least help them," he adds.

Huffington Post

Dance music is fucking shit now, for god sake fucking Paris Hilton pretends to be a DJ, she should just stick to porno or whatever she did.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It's the oscRs for god sakes!

The Guardian - Film

It's an intercontinental ballistic missile, for God sakes.

The New York Times

"For God sakes, they're moving Jesus to Memphis".

The New York Times

For God sakes, shut up and send us somebody".

The New York Times

I can't do that for God sakes.

Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “for god sake” sparingly in formal writing; it is more appropriate for informal contexts and conversations where strong emotion is acceptable.

Common error

Avoid writing “for god's sake” when the intended meaning is the original phrase. The apostrophe changes the meaning and possessive context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for god sake" functions as an interjection, expressing emotions like frustration, exasperation, or urgency. Ludwig AI validates its correct and usable nature in written English, confirming it's often employed to convey strong feelings, similarly to the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for god sake" is an exclamatory phrase used to express emotions such as frustration, exasperation, or urgency. While considered grammatically correct by Ludwig AI, it is more appropriate for informal contexts. Alternative phrases like "for goodness sake" or "for heaven's sake" can be used in more formal settings. It is crucial to avoid the common error of adding an apostrophe, as "for god's sake" has a different meaning. Ludwig's examples show its varied use across news, media, and even scientific contexts, though it remains primarily informal. Authoritative sources like The New Yorker and BBC showcase its presence in reliable publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for the love of god

Slightly more emphatic variation, still conveys frustration or urgency.

for goodness sake

Replaces religious element with a more general expression of exasperation.

for heaven's sake

Substitutes "God" with "heaven", maintaining a similar level of intensity.

for Pete's sake

Uses a euphemistic replacement to soften the expression.

what on earth

Replaces "God" with "earth", expressing surprise or disbelief.

for crying out loud

Offers a non-religious alternative to express frustration or surprise.

come on

Represents a simpler, more direct expression of impatience or disbelief.

give me a break

Implies disbelief or exasperation with a situation or statement.

would you please

Adds a polite tone while still conveying a sense of urgency or annoyance.

enough already

Expresses that something has gone on for too long and needs to stop.

FAQs

How can I appropriately use "for god sake" in a sentence?

Use "for god sake" to express frustration, disbelief, or urgency. For example, "For god sake, hurry up!"

What are some alternatives to "for god sake"?

Alternatives include "for goodness sake", "for heaven's sake", or "for Pete's sake", which are less religious.

Is it correct to say "for god's sake" with an apostrophe?

While "for god's sake" is also a valid expression, it implies something is being done for the sake of God. The phrase "for god sake" (without the apostrophe) is typically used as an exclamation.

When is it inappropriate to use "for god sake"?

Avoid using "for god sake" in formal writing or professional settings where such expressions of strong emotion are considered unprofessional. Opt for neutral language in these contexts.