What is the difference between For X sake and In interest of X and On X side ?Feel free to just provide example sentences.

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7Blue

31 January

Featured answer

English (US)

Wow yes, I see how this is tricky.

The thing is, “for X’s sake” didn’t used to have the negative connotation it does now. You can still use it in a positive way, and interchangeably with “in X’s interest,” but it just seems a bit outdated.

So in medieval times, saying “For God’s sake” would sound positive and like a rallying cry (which it was), whereas today if someone heard you say that, they would assume you’re upset.

When you use “for X’s sake” at the end of a sentence as an explanation, it has more of a neutral connotation. So it makes perfect sense to say “I’m leaving the lights on for my neighbors’ sake.”
It’s just that when you use it at the beginning of a sentence, it’s much more dramatic (and indicative of frustration) like dachshund82 pointed out.

Now that you mention it, this can be rather confusing!

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dachshund82

31 January

English (US)

„For someone’s sake“ is a dramatic way of speaking.

„In the interest of“ is more neutral.

I don’t know what you mean by “on x side.”

For the sake of the children, don’t smoke.
In the interest of time, let’s hurry up.

7Blue

31 January

English (US)

“For X sake“ is usually used to express frustration, like in “for heaven’s sake, quit that!”
Or, “For your own sake, you’d better stop.”

“In the interest of” is similar but more common, and more neutral in connotation.
“In the interest of preserving peace, why don’t you try saying that differently?”

“On X side” is used to show loyalty or where someone stands, for instance in a debate.
“I think Henry has betrayed us, he seems to be on Laura’s side now.”

Heinz-Ooal-Gown

31 January

German

Ahh, thanks guys !

In relation to german this stuff becomes a semantic carousel.

Imagine a medieval army ready to attack and the leader chants : for gods sake !

Refering that situation you can translate it literally into german : für Gottes Sache !

The problem starts when you describe smt like:
I hate leaving the lights on outside, but I do it for my neighbours sake.

( Ich tue es im Interesse meiner Nachbarn)

Wouldn't it then be better to say: I do it in my neighbours interest ?

"In god's interest !?!

Germans would rather interpret "on god's side" then...

I guess I get something terribly wrong here..

Thanks so far !