For the sake of means for the good of, for the purpose of: we kept the routine for the sake of the children; for the sake of clarity. With a person there's a short form: for your sake, for Maya's sake. And just for the sake of with a repeated verb is a criticism: adding slides just for the sake of adding them, with no real purpose.
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for the sake of + person / noun / -ing; for someone's sake
- For the sake of clarity, I have put the two dates in separate columns.
- We kept the familiar bedtime routine for the sake of the children.
- Don't add extra slides just for the sake of adding them.
What changed
First versionFor the sake to save time, we combined the two short meetings.
RevisionFor the sake of saving time, we combined the two short meetings.
The phrase expresses a purpose, and purpose usually means to + verb, so for the sake to save slips in. But sake is followed by of, then a noun or -ing: for the sake of saving time.
In order to is a neutral purpose: in order to save time. For the sake of stresses the value of the goal: for the sake of safety. On behalf of means representing, not for the good of: you write on behalf of the team, but keep quiet for the sake of the team.
Your turn
Explain the purpose: For the sake ___ simplicity, we will use one example.
Show the answer
of — After the sake you need of: for the sake of simplicity. To isn't used here.
Explain a small decision made for convenience or clarity, and say what you changed. Use for the sake of.
For the sake of consistency, we used the same labels on every shelf.
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