for posterity's sake

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   In order to preserve something or leave a record so that people in the future will be able to see or know it.

   Grammar: Comes at the start or end of a sentence; it does not change form.

   Patterns

   • do something for posterity's sake

   She wrote down the family recipes for posterity's sake.

   For posterity's sake, let us record the date of this meeting.

   He took a photograph of the old building for posterity's sake.

2. 2phrasefixed phrasehumorous

   Used humorously or lightly to say you are doing something just so there is a record of it, even if unimportant.

   Grammar: Often used with a wink: say this for posterity's sake.

   Patterns

   • say something for posterity's sake

   I'll note, for posterity's sake, that I warned you about the rain.

   Let the record show, for posterity's sake, that she won fair and square.

   For posterity's sake, here is a picture of my terrible haircut.

Common combinations

record it for posterity's sake

We recorded the interview for posterity's sake.

keep for posterity's sake

I kept the letters for posterity's sake.

mention for posterity's sake

Let me mention, for posterity's sake, that the team never gave up.

photograph for posterity's sake

They photographed the street for posterity's sake.

Synonyms and how they differ

for the record

For the record is more casual and means stating something clearly, not necessarily leaving it for future generations.

for future generations

For future generations is more serious and names the audience directly.

for the archives

For the archives suggests official storage, while for posterity's sake can be a personal, light remark.

Word family

posterity noun

future generations of people

posterior adjective

coming later, or at the back

sake noun

benefit or purpose, as in for the sake of

Commonly confused: for posterity's sake or prosperity?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “for posterity's sake”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words