for simplicity's sake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'for simplicity's sake' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something has been done in order to make a situation less complicated or to suggest that a simpler approach should be taken. For example: "Let's just stick to the original plan - for simplicity's sake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For simplicity's sake, that's just what I did.

HuffPost

I took a couple of liberties, for simplicity's sake.

The New York Times - Food

For simplicity's sake, these robots resemble over-size Tribbles.

MIT Technology Review

Let's assume, for simplicity's sake, that the plan works perfectly.

The Washington Post

For simplicity's sake, I refer to these possibilities as obtaining a credit facility.

Harvard University

For simplicity's sake, let's just concentrate on the plan for United States workers.

The New York Times

Only property owners voted, and for simplicity's sake, they elected themselves.

The New Yorker

For simplicity's sake let's say each group has 100 close friends.

Cornell University

For simplicity's sake, we considered only teams with sufficient salary-cap space.

The New York Times - Sports

Let us assume, for simplicity's sake, that there are a thousand.

The New Yorker

The bit the arrow's pointing to I'll call the Widget for simplicity's sake.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for simplicity's sake", clearly state what you are simplifying and why. This helps the audience understand the specific adjustment you're making and the rationale behind it.

Common error

Avoid over-simplifying to the point of sacrificing accuracy or essential details. While "for simplicity's sake" aims for clarity, ensure the core message remains complete and truthful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for simplicity's sake" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifically a purpose adjunct. It modifies a clause by indicating the reason or purpose behind an action or statement. Ludwig examples show it is often used to introduce a simplification or assumption.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

27%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for simplicity's sake" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that a simplification is being made to enhance understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears across a wide range of contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academic writing, signalling a neutral register. To avoid oversimplification and maintain accuracy, clearly articulate the simplified aspect. Consider using alternatives like "for the sake of simplicity" or "to keep things simple" to achieve specific nuances. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "for simplicity's sake" to improve clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for the sake of simplicity

Swaps the position of "simplicity" and "sake", which slightly alters the emphasis but maintains the same core meaning.

to keep things simple

Offers a more concise and informal way to convey the same idea.

to simplify matters

Focuses on the act of simplifying, often used when describing a change or adjustment made for clarity.

for ease of understanding

Highlights the goal of making something easier to understand, which is the primary reason for simplifying.

in the interest of brevity

Emphasizes conciseness as the reason for simplification, suitable when shortening something.

to put it simply

Signals that a simplified explanation is about to follow, often used before presenting a complex topic in basic terms.

for argument's sake

Takes a different approach and is used to assume something for the purpose of an argument. It does not refer to simplification.

in layman's terms

Specifies that the explanation will be in non-technical language suitable for the general public.

to streamline the process

Focuses on making a process more efficient by removing unnecessary steps, not necessarily related to simplifying understanding but to simplifying steps of a task.

for clarity

Offers a more direct, concise way to express that something is being done to improve understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "for simplicity's sake" in a sentence?

You can use "for simplicity's sake" to indicate that you are simplifying a complex issue or process to make it easier to understand. For example, "For simplicity's sake, let's assume that the plan works perfectly."

What are some alternatives to "for simplicity's sake"?

Alternatives to "for simplicity's sake" include phrases like "for the sake of simplicity", "to keep things simple", or "to simplify matters depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "for simplicity's sake" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "for simplicity's sake" when you want to clarify that you are intentionally omitting details or making assumptions to facilitate understanding. It's useful in technical documents, explanations, or arguments where complexity might hinder comprehension.

What's the difference between "for simplicity's sake" and "for clarity's sake"?

While both phrases aim to improve understanding, "for simplicity's sake" indicates that you are streamlining or reducing complexity, whereas "for clarity's sake" suggests that you are making something easier to understand, even if it doesn't necessarily involve simplification.