sake

[Audiendus]

Sake (noun)

1. Advantage, benefit, interest, welfare, good.
2. Purpose, reason, motive.

[From Old English sacu, lawsuit. Compare the meaning of cause.]

They died for the sake of freedom.
I am quitting this job for the sake of my sanity.
I did it for your sake.

He often bends the truth for the sake of a good story.
I have added a few details for the sake of completeness.
I am against change for its own sake.

'Sake' is a curious word, as it cannot be used as a stand-alone term; it must always be 'for the sake of something'. We can say "They worked to advance the interests [or welfare] of the workers", but not "They worked to advance the sake of the workers". We can say "She acted for a good reason" but not "She acted for a good sake".

[Slava]

We can say "They worked to advance the interests [or welfare] of the workers", but not "They worked to advance the sake of the workers". We can say "She acted for a good reason" but not "She acted for a good sake".

However, we can say "They worked for the workers' sake." Awkward, but valid, I do believe.

"She acted in sake of a good cause" would also suit, no?