simply for appearances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "simply for appearances" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing actions or behaviors that are done only to create a certain impression or to maintain a facade, rather than for genuine reasons. Example: "The company implemented the new policy simply for appearances, without any real intention of improving employee welfare."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Reference

Social Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Companies court disaster by appointing a powerless chief privacy officer simply for appearance, says Lawrence A. Ponemon, who heads up privacy issues for PricewaterhouseCoopers and runs privacy audits that help corporations find the weaknesses in their own policies and practices.

The New York Times

Such a linear superposition between saturation and achromatic waveforms does not occur as simply for form appearance VEP for either red or blue color stimulation.

Plosone

In these circumstances, a saturation point was reached without a diagnosis and the heuristic was postponed while waiting for further information in the form of additional exams, additional peer opinion, or simply for the appearance of new evidence as the disease progressed.

Plosone

You might think that hacks would at least try to simulate an open mind -- that simply for the sake of appearances the Heritage Foundation would try to find some tax it supports, or the Economic Policy Institute find some trade liberalization it favors.

The New York Times

CB The rest of this week's best talks EXHIBITIONS Revelations: Experiments in Photography (National Media Museum, Bradford, to 3 February) All along, cameras have been used as much for extending human vision as for simply recording everyday appearances.

The Guardian

As an imam, he could be killed simply for his religious beliefs or appearance.

Huffington Post

Now, though, people on both sides of the feud question whether the two men were ever really close or whether they were simply maintaining appearances to help win regulatory approval for their projects in the United States and abroad.

The New York Times

He lived simply, renting rooms in other people's homes, wearing the same suits for appearances, offering thanks for gifts of fruit and books.

Los Angeles Times

Or have I got this all wrong and it is simply a meaningless announcement that will in reality be about a bit of renaming for appearances sake?

BBC

So much for appearances.

Vice

This time around, he just stood there and sang, but the appearance is still remarkable, simply for the fact that he turned up at all.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "simply for appearances" to critically describe situations where actions are taken without genuine intent, primarily to maintain a specific outward image or conform to expectations. Always consider if a more direct or honest approach would be more effective.

Common error

Avoid using "simply for appearances" in a neutral or positive context. This phrase inherently carries a critical connotation, suggesting insincerity or a lack of genuine commitment. Using it inappropriately can confuse your audience or misrepresent your intended message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "simply for appearances" functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb or clause to express the purpose or reason behind an action, indicating that the action is performed primarily to maintain a particular outward image.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "simply for appearances" serves to highlight the superficial motivation behind an action, suggesting it's done to maintain a facade rather than for genuine reasons. As stated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct, although no exact usage examples were found in the provided data. This emphasizes its critical connotation, making it suitable for contexts where insincerity or a lack of commitment is being critiqued. When writing, be aware of this connotation and consider related alternatives, like "merely for show" or "just for the sake of appearances", to ensure accuracy and clarity. The phrase is versatile enough to be used in different registers, from news to academic writing, but it is important to remember to maintain the critical sense in the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

merely for show

This alternative focuses on the superficial nature of the action, emphasizing that it's done only for display.

just for the sake of appearances

This alternative highlights that the action is performed to maintain a certain outward image or perception.

purely for the sake of appearances

Emphasizes the action is exclusively motivated by outward image.

only to create an impression

This alternative directly states the intention behind the action, which is to form a particular image in others' minds.

for cosmetic reasons only

This alternative suggests that the action is superficial and done to improve the external look without addressing underlying issues.

superficially

This single-word alternative describes something that is done without depth or genuine commitment.

ostensibly

This alternative indicates that something is presented as being true, but may not actually be so.

on the surface

This alternative highlights that the action is only apparent from an external viewpoint and does not reflect the complete reality.

to keep up appearances

Focuses on sustaining an expected or desired external image.

as a facade

Describes the action as part of a deceptive outward appearance or misrepresentation.

FAQs

How can I use "simply for appearances" in a sentence?

Use "simply for appearances" to describe actions taken primarily to create a certain impression rather than for genuine reasons. For example: "The company implemented the new policy "simply for appearances", without any real intention of improving employee welfare."

What are some alternatives to "simply for appearances"?

You can use alternatives like "merely for show", "just for the sake of appearances", or "only to create an impression" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "simply for appearances"?

It's appropriate when you want to critique or highlight the insincerity of an action, emphasizing that it's done to maintain an outward image rather than address underlying issues or values.

What is the connotation of "simply for appearances"?

The phrase carries a negative connotation, suggesting that actions are superficial and lack genuine intent. It implies that someone is more concerned with how things look than with substance.