spare us

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'spare us' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to express a polite request that someone should not do something or spare someone from having to do something. For example, "Please spare us the lecture on proper punctuation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Spare us, love - spare us.

The Guardian - Books

Oh, spare us.

Independent

God spare us, seriously.

The Guardian

Vince, spare us.

The New York Times

God spare us all.

The Guardian - Sport

IF THIS is recovery, spare us recession.

The Economist

("Spare us your excuses/They're quite useless").

The New York Times - Arts

But spare us the nostalgia.

The New York Times

So why not spare us?

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Please, spare us".

The New York Times

Oh, please spare us, Cousin Isobel.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spare us" when you want to politely but firmly express your disinterest in hearing or experiencing something, especially when you anticipate it being unpleasant or unnecessary.

Common error

Avoid using "spare us" in overly formal or professional communications, as it can come across as dismissive. Opt for more polite alternatives like "we would prefer not to" or "it is not necessary" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spare us" functions as an imperative expression, typically used to request someone to refrain from doing or saying something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, providing numerous examples where it's employed to politely, yet firmly, express disinterest or aversion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "spare us" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to politely request someone to avoid saying or doing something undesirable. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples reveals its prevalence in News & Media, with a neutral to informal register. While effective in conveying disinterest or aversion, it's important to consider the context and audience, opting for more formal alternatives in professional or highly respectful settings. Use "spare us" to firmly yet politely express your desire to avoid unnecessary or unpleasant information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give us a break

This alternative conveys a request for someone to stop doing something annoying or unfair.

leave us alone

This suggests wanting to be free from interference or unwanted attention.

don't bother us

This phrase expresses a desire not to be disturbed or interrupted.

we don't need that

This conveys that something is unnecessary or unwanted.

enough already

This expresses impatience and a desire for something to stop.

cut it out

This is a direct command to stop doing something annoying or disruptive.

cease and desist

This is a formal way of demanding that someone stop a particular action.

desist

This is a formal way of demanding that someone stop a particular action.

do not impose on us

A more formal phrasing to express that someone avoid bothering.

relieve us of

This alternative is formal and suggests removing a burden or obligation.

FAQs

How can I use "spare us" in a sentence?

You can use "spare us" to politely request that someone avoid saying or doing something. For example, "Please "spare us" the details of your argument." or "Spare us the lectures, we understand the risks."

What does "spare us" mean?

The phrase "spare us" is an idiom that means to refrain from subjecting someone to something unpleasant, unwanted, or unnecessary. It is a request for someone to avoid doing or saying something that the speaker finds undesirable.

What are some alternatives to saying "spare us"?

Some alternatives to "spare us" include "give us a break", "leave us alone", or "we don't need that" depending on the context.

Is "spare us" appropriate for formal writing?

While "spare us" is widely understood, it is generally more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using more polite or professional alternatives to avoid sounding dismissive.