for its own sake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'for its own sake' is grammatically and stylistically correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase indicates that something is done purely for its own purpose, and not for external rewards or benefits. For example: "He taught the class maths for its own sake, not for any monetary reward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It needs to do it for its own sake.

The Guardian - Opinion

But she likes it for its own sake as well.

The Guardian

Gaining new knowledge for its own sake it not enough.

Science Magazine

It's fun for its own sake.

The New York Times

It is not for its own sake.

BBC

It was done for its own sake.

Vice

"It's not inclusion for its own sake, or diversity for its own sake," he told me.

The New Yorker

It is not English for its own sake".

The Guardian

It is meted out for its own sake.

The Guardian

It's about doing what's right for its own sake.

Huffington Post

conducted for its own sake".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about academic or scientific pursuits, employ "for its own sake" to highlight the inherent value of knowledge and discovery, even without immediate practical applications.

Common error

Avoid using "for its own sake" when describing actions that are clearly driven by external rewards or incentives. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the motivation is purely intrinsic and self-fulfilling.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for its own sake" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the purpose or reason for an action. It emphasizes that something is done for its inherent value, not for external benefits. Ludwig confirms the correct use of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for its own sake" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize the intrinsic value of an action or object, independent of external benefits. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure that the context aligns with intrinsic motivation and inherent value. Consider alternatives like "in and of itself" or "intrinsically" for nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for its own benefit

Focuses on the advantage derived specifically by the subject in question.

for its own advantage

Highlights the gains or positive outcomes the subject receives.

for its own interest

Emphasizes what is favorable or beneficial to the entity involved.

in and of itself

Stresses the inherent qualities without external factors.

intrinsically

Highlights that value is inherent and not derived from external sources.

per se

Focuses on the thing in its essence, excluding external factors.

as such

Indicates considering something in its current state or nature.

in itself

Highlights the inherent qualities of the subject.

by its very nature

Points out the essential characteristics that define it.

on its own merits

Suggests something should be judged based solely on its own qualities.

FAQs

How to use "for its own sake" in a sentence?

You can use "for its own sake" to indicate that something is done purely for its own purpose, not for any external benefit. For example: "She studied philosophy "for its own sake", not to get a better job".

What can I say instead of "for its own sake"?

You can use alternatives like "for its own benefit", "in and of itself", or "intrinsically" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "for its own sake and benefit"?

While not strictly redundant, using both "for its own sake" and "benefit" can be repetitive. "For its own sake" already implies an inherent value or advantage, so adding "benefit" might not add much to the meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "for its own sake"?

It's appropriate to use ""for its own sake"" when you want to emphasize that something is valuable or worth doing regardless of external rewards or practical applications. It suggests an intrinsic motivation or inherent quality.