sake of expediency

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sake of expediency" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to doing something in order to gain the most efficient or practical outcome. For example: "The committee voted to change the date of the meeting for the sake of expediency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Others, though, complained that the event sacrificed artistic potency for the sake of expediency.

The New York Times - Arts

"The state is gambling away good sense for the sake of expediency".

The New York Times

An instructor resorted to giving occasional boosts with his foot, for the sake of expediency and morale.

The New Yorker

Even though that action was taken for the sake of "expediency," it rendered the trial "unfair," she said.

The New York Times

Nor was Amos indifferent to or (for the sake of expediency) indulgent of Israel's Orthodox, the way most Israeli leftists were.

The New Yorker

Law generally was thought to be a human invention arrived at by consensus for the purpose of restricting natural freedoms for the sake of expediency and self-interest.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

She was scapegoated for the sake of political expediency.

The Guardian - Opinion

Too often, she added, peacekeeping operations are ordered too small for the sake of "political expediency".

The New York Times

This must not be allowed to happen and certainly not for the sake of political expediency.

The Guardian - Opinion

It would be tragic to squander those gains for the sake of political expediency.

The New York Times

In recent months, Mr. Sarkozy has sought to portray Mr. Hollande as an opportunist, quick to change his positions for the sake of political expediency.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sake of expediency", ensure that the trade-off between efficiency and other important factors (like accuracy or fairness) is acceptable within the given context. Briefly acknowledge the potential drawbacks if needed.

Common error

Avoid using "sake of expediency" to justify decisions that compromise ethical standards or create unfair outcomes. Ensure decisions are not solely driven by efficiency, especially when they impact people or principles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sake of expediency" functions as an adverbial phrase, indicating the reason or purpose behind an action. It typically modifies a verb or clause, explaining why something is being done in a certain way. As Ludwig AI explains, it is used to describe efficient or practical choices.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

16%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sake of expediency" is a common phrase used to justify choices made for the purpose of efficiency or practicality. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically correct phrase. While it can be useful for explaining decisions, it's important to be mindful of potential ethical implications. Alternatives like "for efficiency's sake" or "to streamline the process" may offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Given its neutral register, the phrase is suitable for a wide range of contexts, but is most frequently encountered in news and media, or scientific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for efficiency's sake

Replaces "expediency" with "efficiency", emphasizing the goal of minimizing wasted effort.

for practicality's sake

Substitutes "expediency" with "practicality", highlighting the importance of a realistic approach.

for the purpose of efficiency

Rephrases to emphasize the intended goal is efficiency.

to streamline the process

Focuses on making a process more effective and simple by removing complexity.

to expedite matters

Highlights the speed and promptness in achieving a task.

to facilitate progress

Centers on the idea of making forward movement easier and smoother.

for the sake of convenience

Emphasizes the ease and comfort gained from choosing a particular method.

out of sheer pragmatism

Highlights that decisions are made based on realistic and practical considerations.

as a matter of practicality

States that an action is based on practical considerations.

to save time and resources

Emphasizes the conservation of time and resources.

FAQs

How can I use "sake of expediency" in a sentence?

You can use "sake of expediency" to justify a decision made for efficiency, such as: "The data was simplified for the "sake of expediency", although some details were lost."

What are some alternatives to "sake of expediency"?

Alternatives include "for efficiency's sake", "for practicality's sake", or "to streamline the process". Each emphasizes efficiency or convenience.

Is there a difference between "sake of expediency" and "sake of convenience"?

While both relate to ease, "sake of expediency" implies prioritizing efficiency or a quicker outcome, even if it means some compromise. "Sake of convenience" focuses more on making something easier or more comfortable, without necessarily relating to speed or overall efficiency.

When is it inappropriate to use "sake of expediency"?

It's inappropriate when the decision compromises ethical standards, accuracy, or fairness. Using it to justify cutting corners at the expense of important principles is generally ill-advised.