ENGLISH
REFERENCE

for the sake of sb/sth

prep. phr..
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford

prep. phr.. to do something because it helps or benefits a person or a situation.

prep. phr.. a prepositional phrase used to indicate the purpose, benefit, or interest of a specific person or entity; often used to justify a sacrifice or a specific course of action.


SIMPLE

They stayed together for the sake of the children.

CONTEXTUAL

She decided to move to the countryside for the sake of her health and peace of mind.

COMPLEX

The government urged the citizens to reduce energy consumption for the sake of national security and environmental preservation.

Usage

usually followed by a noun or a possessive form (e.g., 'for Pete's sake').

Teaching tip

contrast with 'because of'; 'for the sake of' implies a goal or benefit, whereas 'because of' simply indicates a cause.

Pitfall

for the sake to help himfor the sake of helping himthe phrase must be followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form), not an infinitive.

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