for their sake

USAGE SUMMARY

"for their sake" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is done for the benefit of someone else. For example, "I stayed late at work for their sake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For their sake, he should go.

The Economist

For their sake, I decided to go.

The New York Times - Sports

For their sake, that better be the case.

The New York Times

For their sake, don't be angry with me".

The New Yorker

"You need to act surprised for their sake," she said.

The New Yorker

Children must sleep, for their sake and their parents'.

The New York Times - Travel

If not for their sake, then for everyone else's sake.

Harvard Business Review

But that is more for their sake than for ours.

The New York Times

She even wiped her parents memories for their sake!

The Guardian

I didn't go to school for their sake, so they could study".

Independent

"For their sake, and for the sake of the plant's safety".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for their sake", ensure the context clearly identifies who "they" refers to, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "for their sake" without a clear antecedent for "their". Ensure it's immediately obvious who is benefiting from the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for their sake" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause, indicating the reason or purpose behind an action. Ludwig examples demonstrate it's used to express that something is done out of consideration or benefit for others.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for their sake" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that an action is motivated by the well-being or benefit of others. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific writing. Remember to ensure that the pronoun reference is clear and unambiguous. Consider alternatives like "for their benefit" or "in their interest" to fine-tune the nuance. With its frequent usage and clear meaning, "for their sake" is a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for their benefit

Emphasizes the advantage or positive outcome for the individuals in question.

for their well-being

Highlights concern for their health, happiness, and comfort.

in their interest

Focuses on what is advantageous or beneficial to them.

on their behalf

Suggests acting as a representative or advocate for them.

for the good of them

Implies a moral or ethical consideration in benefiting them.

with their welfare in mind

Explicitly states that their welfare is a primary consideration.

to help them

Directly expresses the intention to provide assistance.

out of consideration for them

Highlights thoughtfulness and regard for their feelings or needs.

for the purpose of aiding them

Formal way of expressing the intention to assist or support them.

to ensure their prosperity

Focuses on their future success and flourishing.

FAQs

How can I use "for their sake" in a sentence?

Use "for their sake" to indicate that an action is performed to benefit a group of people. For example, "I hope they study hard "for their sake"".

What are some alternatives to "for their sake"?

Alternatives include "for their benefit", "in their interest", or "on their behalf", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "for their sakes"?

While "for their sake" is the standard and more common phrasing, "for their sakes" is occasionally used, though it can sound somewhat archaic or overly emphatic. It's generally safer to stick with "for their sake".

What's the difference between "for their sake" and "for our sake"?

"For their sake" implies that the action benefits others, while "for our sake" indicates the action benefits ourselves. The choice depends on who the intended beneficiary is.