sake of propriety

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sake of propriety" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to actions taken to maintain social norms or standards of behavior. Example: "For the sake of propriety, we decided to dress formally for the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Nowadays, that old e-mail address seems like evidence of Newsom's sly sense of humor, and of her steely disinclination to edit herself for the sake of propriety.

The New Yorker

Many of today's hitters would gape at the notion of passing up a potential meatball for the sake of propriety, but this was once standard fare.

The New York Times

For the sake of propriety, one hopes it is all resolved by that last game of the season, a winnable home fixture against Worcester.

The Guardian - Sport

There, for the sake of propriety, they maintain the fiction that he is her daughter's father, though the lie slowly corrodes their fragile marriage.

The Guardian - Books

But for the sake of propriety, "Girls," set in rural Yorkshire, can't relinquish its embrace of convention, or else Chris would have nothing to do.

The New York Times

He was reluctant to give up the final lyric of "Gee, Officer Krupke" for the sake of propriety, but when Goddard Lieberson, the show's producer, informed Mr. Sondheim that the laws on the books at that time would have made it impossible to ship the cast recording across state lines to be sold outside New York, Mr. Sondheim relented.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Yet when the art-loving Emily is asked by Alan to give her honest opinion of his cat-paintings, the play raises the same eternal question as Molière's The Misanthrope: at what point, if any, do we compromise our integrity for the sake of social propriety.

The Guardian

But if (using the letter r) thou sayest that thou art a part (meros) thou dost not yet love men from thy heart; beneficence does not yet delight thee for its own sake; thou still doest it barely as a thing of propriety, and not yet as doing good to thyself.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

At another moment he told Mr. Gomes, "Release yourself from the bonds of choreography," adding jokingly, "You're from Brazil, for heaven's sake!" If some dancers were surprised by Mr. Forsythe's lack of propriety about his work, the Ballet Theater principal Ethan Stiefel was not.

The New York Times - Arts

He acted not as we see him in Spielberg's "Lincoln," prepared to jettison propriety for the sake of principle, but as someone scrupulously legalistic.

The New York Times - Arts

It offends his sense of propriety.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sake of propriety", consider the specific context and whether a more precise term like "decorum" or "etiquette" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "sake of propriety" when referring to legal or ethical obligations; instead, use phrases like "legal compliance" or "ethical standards".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sake of propriety" functions as a prepositional phrase, often introducing the reason or motive behind an action. It commonly modifies verbs, explaining why something is done to adhere to social norms or avoid offense. As shown by Ludwig, it indicates consideration for accepted standards of behavior.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sake of propriety" serves to denote actions taken to maintain social norms, decorum, or prevent offense. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and usable, it is, however, relatively uncommon. Predominantly found in news and media, it signals an awareness and adherence to societal expectations. When employing this phrase, writers should ensure its formality aligns with the intended audience and context, while also considering whether alternative phrases might convey more nuanced meanings. Ludwig's examples highlight that context determines the specific implications of upholding "sake of propriety".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for the sake of decorum

Replaces "propriety" with "decorum", emphasizing dignified behavior and good taste.

in the interest of decency

Focuses on maintaining moral standards and respectability.

out of respect for convention

Highlights adherence to accepted customs and norms.

to maintain appearances

Emphasizes the importance of creating a favorable public image.

to uphold standards

Stresses the preservation of established benchmarks of behavior.

for the sake of good form

Emphasizes adherence to etiquette and proper social conduct.

in deference to etiquette

Highlights the act of yielding to established rules of social behavior.

to observe social norms

Focuses on complying with the unwritten rules that govern behavior in a community.

for the sake of custom

Emphasizes adherence to traditional practices and conventions.

to keep up a facade

Focuses on maintaining a deceptive outward appearance of respectability.

FAQs

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

You can use "sake of propriety" to indicate that something is done to maintain social standards or avoid causing offense. For example, "For the "sake of propriety", we decided to dress formally for the event."

What phrases are similar to "sake of propriety"?

Similar phrases include "for the sake of decency", "in the interest of decency", or "for the sake of etiquette". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to act for the "sake of propriety"?

While adhering to social norms is often important, there are situations where other considerations, such as personal integrity or ethical principles, may outweigh the need to maintain "social propriety".

What's the difference between "sake of propriety" and "sake of tradition"?

"Sake of propriety" refers to acting in accordance with social norms and expectations, while "sake of tradition" implies following established customs or practices, even if they are not strictly related to "social etiquette".