sake of power

USAGE SUMMARY

"sake of power" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's motivated or driven by a desire for power or control. For example: - He was willing to do anything for the sake of power, even if it meant betraying his closest friends. - She was cunning and manipulative, using others for the sake of power and advancing her own ambitions. - The dictator ruled with an iron fist and showed no mercy for the sake of power.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"People say Netanyahu remains in power for the sake of power," Shlomo Avineri, a prominent Israeli political scientist, told me.

The New York Times

To play to tens of thousands of people in an outdoor festival you almost have to play down for the sake of power and evenness.

The New York Times

A weapons conflict for the sake of power When two elephants are fighting The grass they will suffer Which is the position of the civilians, I cry.

The New York Times - Arts

But Poots is still special: there's almost something admirable about his open stance on his views in a time when even his spiritual leader Ian Paisley was willing to put a lid on it for the sake of power.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ships were launched, expeditions were financed, empires were built, fortunes were made and lives were lost -- not for the sake of power or oil or even Helen of Troy, but for the sake of some condiments.

The New York Times - Books

Bean also shows the press not only getting into bed with politicians but also manipulating them for the sake of power: O'Leary, the Free Press's proprietor, offers unqualified support to a political party in exchange for the right to bid for ownership of ITV and the sacrifice of the BBC.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

But he also elicits commentary from figures like Bill Clinton (who believes his '60s ideals are untarnished) and Newt Gingrich (who sharply assails Republican ineptitude at governing, which he links to too much facility with '60s power-for-the-sake-of-power techniques).

The New York Times - Books

Lindsey Graham told me, "If you spend thirty minutes with John, you understand that his goal in life is not to achieve power for the sake of achieving power.

The New Yorker

"He goes along," Mr. Tsvangirai said, "pretends to be a gentleman, pretends to be accommodative, pretends to be seriously committed to the law, and turns around, sending people, beating up people, using violence to coerce and to literally defend power for the sake of defending power".

The New York Times

Sometimes, the woman was chosen from a list of surnames, enabling unions for the sake of family power or business.

The Guardian

The weakening of the Syrian rebels today and the sacrificing of civilians for the sake of political power are planting the seeds for future instability.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sake of power" to precisely describe actions or decisions primarily motivated by the acquisition or maintenance of control, rather than other potential benefits.

Common error

Avoid using "sake of power" when describing actions that have multiple motivations. The phrase suggests that power is the primary or sole driver, which may not always be accurate or fair.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sake of power" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase indicating purpose or motivation. It modifies verbs or nouns to explain the reason behind an action, suggesting that the action is taken to gain, maintain, or demonstrate power. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sake of power" is used to describe actions motivated primarily by a desire for authority, control, or influence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and consistent use in diverse contexts, although it's not among the most common phrases. Analysis reveals that "sake of power" often appears in news and media, where it serves to critically examine political or strategic motivations. While grammatically sound, overuse in nuanced situations should be avoided to prevent oversimplification of complex motives. Related phrases, such as "pursuit of authority" or "desire for control", can offer more specific connotations depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pursuit of authority

Changes the focus from general "power" to more structured "authority".

desire for control

Emphasizes the element of "control" rather than broad influence.

quest for dominance

Suggests a more active and competitive striving for power.

ambition for influence

Focuses on affecting outcomes and decisions.

drive for supremacy

Implies a goal of being the highest or most powerful.

yearning for authority

Highlights an emotional longing for official power.

longing for control

Similar to "desire for control" but with a stronger emotional component.

craving for influence

Expresses a strong need to affect outcomes.

greed for dominance

Accentuates a negative, selfish motivation behind seeking power.

hunger for supremacy

Depicts a strong, almost primal need to be superior.

FAQs

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

Use "sake of power" to describe actions driven by a desire for control or authority, such as "He manipulated the situation for the sake of power".

What are some alternatives to "sake of power"?

Alternatives include "pursuit of authority", "desire for control", or "ambition for influence", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "sake of power" and "love of power"?

"Sake of power" describes actions taken for the purpose of gaining power, while "love of power" describes a feeling of enjoying power itself. The former is about motivation, and the latter is about sentiment.

Is it correct to say "for power's sake" instead of "sake of power"?

While both phrases relate to power as a central motive, "sake of power" is more common and directly suggests actions taken to obtain or maintain it. "For power's sake" can sometimes imply a broader scope, referring to the general benefits or effects that power provides.