for the good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'for the good' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a sentence to indicate something beneficial or desirable. For example: "Let's take these measures for the good of the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And for the good.

The New York Times - Travel

Except for the good stuff.

The New York Times

Hooray for the good life.

The Guardian

"Something for the good of society".

The New York Times

That is all for the good.

The Economist

"And that is for the good.

The New Yorker

"For what, Ma?" "For the good glasses".

The New Yorker

For the good of the Course".

Independent

So thanks for the good experience!

The New York Times

So much for the good news.

The New York Times

Ah, for the good old days!

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for the good" when you want to emphasize the positive or beneficial outcome of an action or decision, especially when it benefits a group or community.

Common error

While "for the good" is widely acceptable, avoid overusing it in overly formal or academic writing. Consider more precise alternatives like "for the benefit of" or "in the interest of" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for the good" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that often modifies a verb or noun, indicating the beneficiary or the positive outcome of an action. Ludwig shows several examples where it clarifies the intent behind an action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for the good" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to express that an action is performed with a positive or beneficial outcome in mind. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is correct, and it is prevalent in numerous contexts, especially news and media. While generally neutral in formality, more precise alternatives may be suitable for certain academic or professional settings. Remember to use "for the good" when you wish to emphasize the benevolent intent behind an action, contributing to a wider benefit or positive impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for the benefit

Focuses on the positive outcome or advantage gained, similar to "for the good" but emphasizes the resulting benefit.

for the welfare of

Directly relates to well-being and overall condition; suggests a concern for health, happiness, or comfort.

for the sake of

Implies acting out of consideration for something or someone, highlighting a motivating factor.

in the interest of

Suggests acting to protect or promote something valuable, shifting the focus to safeguarding interests rather than pure goodness.

with the aim of

Highlights the intention or purpose behind an action, shifting focus to the desired outcome.

to the advantage of

Emphasizes gaining an edge or a more favorable position; less about moral 'good' and more about strategic gain.

to improve

Simple and direct, focusing solely on the act of making something better.

in furtherance of

A more formal way of saying 'to help advance or promote', often used in legal or official contexts.

in support of

Highlights the act of backing or advocating for something, rather than focusing on the resulting benefit.

on behalf of

Indicates acting as a representative, broadening the scope to include acting for a larger group.

FAQs

How can I use "for the good" in a sentence?

You can use "for the good" to express that something is done to bring about a positive or beneficial result. For example, "They made sacrifices "for the good" of the community".

What are some alternatives to saying "for the good"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "for the benefit of", "in the interest of", or "for the sake of".

Is "for the good" formal or informal?

"For the good" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more precise alternatives may be preferred in highly formal writing.

How does "for the good" differ from "for the better"?

"For the good" generally refers to moral or ethical benefit, while "for the better" more broadly indicates improvement or a more desirable state. The phrases are similar but not always interchangeable.