Meaning & use
for both our sakes
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
So that both people involved benefit or avoid harm.
Grammar: Used as an adverbial phrase at the end of a sentence: Do it for both our sakes.
Patterns
- do something for both our sakes
- for both our sakes, ...
Let's stop arguing and try to get along, for both our sakes.
For both our sakes, please don't mention the money to anyone.
We should take a break from each other for both our sakes.
Common combinations
- for both our sakes
- For both our sakes, let's keep this quiet.
- for your own sake
- You should study for your own sake, not just to please your parents.
- for the sake of
- They stayed together for the sake of the children.
- do something for both our sakes
- Please be honest with me, for both our sakes.
Synonyms and how they differ
- for both of us
- More neutral and common in everyday speech; it lacks the emotional emphasis of 'for both our sakes.'
Commonly confused: for both our sakes or for goodness' sake?
for both our sakes vs for goodness' sake
This is an exclamation showing annoyance or surprise, not a phrase about mutual benefit.
Practice
We need to talk honestly about our problems, ______.
Choose one answer.
The fixed phrase is 'for both our sakes' with a plural 'sakes.' 'For both our sake' is wrong because 'both' requires a plural noun. The other options are not standard English.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “for both our sakes”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.