spare you

USAGE SUMMARY

"spare you" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to ask someone to show mercy or leniency, such as in the following example: "I'm so sorry for making a mistake - could you please spare me?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I'll spare you the details.

The New York Times

I'll spare you the Google search.

The New York Times

"Spare you the exposure and liability".

The New York Times

I will spare you the graphic details.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"We couldn't spare you," my mother says.

The New Yorker

I intend to spare you that.

The Guardian

I will spare you the lyrics.

The New York Times

I will spare you the entire epistolary.

The New York Times

There's more, but I'll spare you.

The New York Times - Books

Or spare you?__ Get thee behind me.

The New Yorker

I'll spare you even my presence.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "spare you", ensure the context implies that the information being omitted is either tedious, unpleasant, or already known to the listener/reader.

Common error

Avoid using "spare you" in highly formal or academic writing. While acceptable in news and general communication, more professional alternatives like "omit" or "refrain from detailing" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spare you" functions as a verbal phrase used to indicate the intentional omission of details from a narrative or explanation. It is often used to protect the listener from unnecessary or unpleasant information. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "spare you" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate the omission of details, often to avoid burdening the listener or reader with tedious or unpleasant information. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms this, highlighting its frequent use in news and media contexts. While generally acceptable, it's important to consider the formality of the situation, opting for more formal alternatives like "omit" or "refrain from detailing" in academic or professional settings. Using "spare you" effectively involves ensuring that the omitted information is genuinely unnecessary or potentially upsetting to the audience, thus streamlining communication and maintaining engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

save you the trouble

Emphasizes preventing effort or inconvenience.

won't trouble you with

Similar to 'not bother you with', emphasizing avoidance of inconvenience.

omit the details for you

Focuses on removing information rather than avoiding an experience.

not bother you with

Indicates a desire to avoid burdening someone.

refrain from telling you

Highlights the act of holding back information.

shield you from

Emphasizes protection from something unpleasant.

protect you from

Highlights safeguarding from harm or difficulty.

leave out the particulars for you

Focuses on excluding specific information.

keep you from experiencing

Focuses on shielding someone from an event.

forego sharing with you

Stresses the act of giving up sharing information.

FAQs

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

You can use "spare you" to indicate that you will avoid sharing unnecessary or unpleasant details. For example, "I'll "spare you" the gory details of the accident".

What's a more formal way to say "spare you"?

In formal contexts, you can use phrases like "omit the details", "refrain from detailing", or "avoid elaborating". These alternatives are more suitable for academic or professional writing.

Is it always appropriate to use "spare you"?

While "spare you" is generally acceptable in conversation and news media, it may not be suitable for highly formal writing or situations where precise language is required.

What does "spare you" imply about the information being omitted?

"Spare you" often implies that the information being omitted is either tedious, unpleasant, or already known to the listener/reader, making it unnecessary to share.