“For Heaven's Sake” or “For Heaven Sakes”?
I hear these used almost interchangeably. To me "for heaven's sake" makes sense grammatically, but is there something I'm missing?
grammaticality expressions
asked Jan 25 '13 at 17:04
Daniel
159129
add a comment |
I hear these used almost interchangeably. To me "for heaven's sake" makes sense grammatically, but is there something I'm missing?
grammaticality expressions
asked Jan 25 '13 at 17:04
Daniel
159129
For goodness sake! Most people don't bother even writing possessive apostrophe in goodness' there, and no-one ever enunciates it (or pluralises sakes). But we nearly always pluralise the facetiously stereotypical Land sakes! (which I invariably follow up with Lawks-a-mussy! :)
– FumbleFingers
Jan 25 '13 at 18:58
Interesting that no-one has suggested "for heavens' sake" i.e. for the sake of (all the) heavens.....
– Michael Dineen
May 31 '17 at 22:20
Just think which between "for my sake" or "for I sakes" sounds right.
– RegDwigнt♦
1 min ago
add a comment |
I hear these used almost interchangeably. To me "for heaven's sake" makes sense grammatically, but is there something I'm missing?
grammaticality expressions
asked Jan 25 '13 at 17:04
Daniel
159129
I hear these used almost interchangeably. To me "for heaven's sake" makes sense grammatically, but is there something I'm missing?
grammaticality expressions
grammaticality expressions
asked Jan 25 '13 at 17:04
Daniel
159129
asked Jan 25 '13 at 17:04
Daniel
159129
asked Jan 25 '13 at 17:04
Daniel
159129
asked Jan 25 '13 at 17:04
Daniel
159129
asked Jan 25 '13 at 17:04
Daniel
159129
159129
For goodness sake! Most people don't bother even writing possessive apostrophe in goodness' there, and no-one ever enunciates it (or pluralises sakes). But we nearly always pluralise the facetiously stereotypical Land sakes! (which I invariably follow up with Lawks-a-mussy! :)
– FumbleFingers
Jan 25 '13 at 18:58
Interesting that no-one has suggested "for heavens' sake" i.e. for the sake of (all the) heavens.....
– Michael Dineen
May 31 '17 at 22:20
Just think which between "for my sake" or "for I sakes" sounds right.
– RegDwigнt♦
1 min ago
add a comment |
For goodness sake! Most people don't bother even writing possessive apostrophe in goodness' there, and no-one ever enunciates it (or pluralises sakes). But we nearly always pluralise the facetiously stereotypical Land sakes! (which I invariably follow up with Lawks-a-mussy! :)
– FumbleFingers
Jan 25 '13 at 18:58
Interesting that no-one has suggested "for heavens' sake" i.e. for the sake of (all the) heavens.....
– Michael Dineen
May 31 '17 at 22:20
Just think which between "for my sake" or "for I sakes" sounds right.
– RegDwigнt♦
1 min ago
For goodness sake! Most people don't bother even writing possessive apostrophe in goodness' there, and no-one ever enunciates it (or pluralises sakes). But we nearly always pluralise the facetiously stereotypical Land sakes! (which I invariably follow up with Lawks-a-mussy! :)
– FumbleFingers
Jan 25 '13 at 18:58
For goodness sake! Most people don't bother even writing possessive apostrophe in goodness' there, and no-one ever enunciates it (or pluralises sakes). But we nearly always pluralise the facetiously stereotypical Land sakes! (which I invariably follow up with Lawks-a-mussy! :)
– FumbleFingers
Jan 25 '13 at 18:58
Interesting that no-one has suggested "for heavens' sake" i.e. for the sake of (all the) heavens.....
– Michael Dineen
May 31 '17 at 22:20
Interesting that no-one has suggested "for heavens' sake" i.e. for the sake of (all the) heavens.....
– Michael Dineen
May 31 '17 at 22:20
Just think which between "for my sake" or "for I sakes" sounds right.
– RegDwigнt♦
1 min ago
Just think which between "for my sake" or "for I sakes" sounds right.
– RegDwigнt♦
1 min ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
Nope, it's definitely "For Heaven's Sake", as in "For the sake of Heaven". (Think "For God's Sake", "For Pete's Sake", etc.) The singular "sake" is the one that is the most standard and formal, though you also often see it as "For heaven's sakeS".
"For heaven sakes" is apparently one of the common alternate forms of the expression, but I imagine it is rather colloquial and region-dependent. I don't think I've ever heard it used, personally.
answered Jan 25 '13 at 17:13
Phire
35613
Of those listed in the link you give, "heavens' sake" is also grammatically correct, and theologically sound according to some beliefs.
– Jon Hanna
Jan 25 '13 at 17:50
That's a good point, though only if the trailing apostrophe is added. Otherwise the possessive is lost.
– Phire
Jan 25 '13 at 18:04
Yes, it's listed as one found, but not given in the examples of "grammatically questionable" uses, leaving it unclear whether they find that form questionable or not themselves.
– Jon Hanna
Jan 25 '13 at 18:06
@Jon I submit that "heaven's sake" → "heaven sake" is metanalysis.
– RegDwigнt♦
Jan 25 '13 at 22:07
add a comment |
Those familiar with the development of the English language over the centuries will be aware that the names of the Apostles and Saints and other Holy Christian references do not have to confirm to man made rules pertaining to the language. Man made rules apply to descriptions of mortals not descriptions the Holies. That is one of the conventions of the language and English is the language of the King James Bible, Shakespeare, and Burns.In England many variations of Saints names exist on public signs and all are correct.
The question at hand is to decide between: "For Heaven's Sake" and "For Heaven Sakes"? Both are correct, for what earthbound mortal has the authority to apply rules to the Heavens? I hope this explains what the original poster was missing.
answered 6 mins ago
George Hust
1
New contributor
George Hust is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
Your Answer
StackExchange.ready(function() {
var channelOptions = {
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "97"
};
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
createEditor();
});
}
else {
createEditor();
}
});
function createEditor() {
StackExchange.prepareEditor({
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader: {
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
},
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
});
}
});
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f101554%2ffor-heavens-sake-or-for-heaven-sakes%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Nope, it's definitely "For Heaven's Sake", as in "For the sake of Heaven". (Think "For God's Sake", "For Pete's Sake", etc.) The singular "sake" is the one that is the most standard and formal, though you also often see it as "For heaven's sakeS".
"For heaven sakes" is apparently one of the common alternate forms of the expression, but I imagine it is rather colloquial and region-dependent. I don't think I've ever heard it used, personally.
answered Jan 25 '13 at 17:13
Phire
35613
Of those listed in the link you give, "heavens' sake" is also grammatically correct, and theologically sound according to some beliefs.
– Jon Hanna
Jan 25 '13 at 17:50
That's a good point, though only if the trailing apostrophe is added. Otherwise the possessive is lost.
– Phire
Jan 25 '13 at 18:04
Yes, it's listed as one found, but not given in the examples of "grammatically questionable" uses, leaving it unclear whether they find that form questionable or not themselves.
– Jon Hanna
Jan 25 '13 at 18:06
@Jon I submit that "heaven's sake" → "heaven sake" is metanalysis.
– RegDwigнt♦
Jan 25 '13 at 22:07
add a comment |
Nope, it's definitely "For Heaven's Sake", as in "For the sake of Heaven". (Think "For God's Sake", "For Pete's Sake", etc.) The singular "sake" is the one that is the most standard and formal, though you also often see it as "For heaven's sakeS".
"For heaven sakes" is apparently one of the common alternate forms of the expression, but I imagine it is rather colloquial and region-dependent. I don't think I've ever heard it used, personally.
answered Jan 25 '13 at 17:13
Phire
35613
Of those listed in the link you give, "heavens' sake" is also grammatically correct, and theologically sound according to some beliefs.
– Jon Hanna
Jan 25 '13 at 17:50
That's a good point, though only if the trailing apostrophe is added. Otherwise the possessive is lost.
– Phire
Jan 25 '13 at 18:04
Yes, it's listed as one found, but not given in the examples of "grammatically questionable" uses, leaving it unclear whether they find that form questionable or not themselves.
– Jon Hanna
Jan 25 '13 at 18:06
@Jon I submit that "heaven's sake" → "heaven sake" is metanalysis.
– RegDwigнt♦
Jan 25 '13 at 22:07
add a comment |
Nope, it's definitely "For Heaven's Sake", as in "For the sake of Heaven". (Think "For God's Sake", "For Pete's Sake", etc.) The singular "sake" is the one that is the most standard and formal, though you also often see it as "For heaven's sakeS".
"For heaven sakes" is apparently one of the common alternate forms of the expression, but I imagine it is rather colloquial and region-dependent. I don't think I've ever heard it used, personally.
answered Jan 25 '13 at 17:13
Phire
35613
Nope, it's definitely "For Heaven's Sake", as in "For the sake of Heaven". (Think "For God's Sake", "For Pete's Sake", etc.) The singular "sake" is the one that is the most standard and formal, though you also often see it as "For heaven's sakeS".
"For heaven sakes" is apparently one of the common alternate forms of the expression, but I imagine it is rather colloquial and region-dependent. I don't think I've ever heard it used, personally.
answered Jan 25 '13 at 17:13
Phire
35613
answered Jan 25 '13 at 17:13
Phire
35613
answered Jan 25 '13 at 17:13
Phire
35613
answered Jan 25 '13 at 17:13
Phire
35613
35613
Of those listed in the link you give, "heavens' sake" is also grammatically correct, and theologically sound according to some beliefs.
– Jon Hanna
Jan 25 '13 at 17:50
That's a good point, though only if the trailing apostrophe is added. Otherwise the possessive is lost.
– Phire
Jan 25 '13 at 18:04
Yes, it's listed as one found, but not given in the examples of "grammatically questionable" uses, leaving it unclear whether they find that form questionable or not themselves.
– Jon Hanna
Jan 25 '13 at 18:06
@Jon I submit that "heaven's sake" → "heaven sake" is metanalysis.
– RegDwigнt♦
Jan 25 '13 at 22:07
add a comment |
Of those listed in the link you give, "heavens' sake" is also grammatically correct, and theologically sound according to some beliefs.
– Jon Hanna
Jan 25 '13 at 17:50
That's a good point, though only if the trailing apostrophe is added. Otherwise the possessive is lost.
– Phire
Jan 25 '13 at 18:04
Yes, it's listed as one found, but not given in the examples of "grammatically questionable" uses, leaving it unclear whether they find that form questionable or not themselves.
– Jon Hanna
Jan 25 '13 at 18:06
@Jon I submit that "heaven's sake" → "heaven sake" is metanalysis.
– RegDwigнt♦
Jan 25 '13 at 22:07
Of those listed in the link you give, "heavens' sake" is also grammatically correct, and theologically sound according to some beliefs.
– Jon Hanna
Jan 25 '13 at 17:50
Of those listed in the link you give, "heavens' sake" is also grammatically correct, and theologically sound according to some beliefs.
– Jon Hanna
Jan 25 '13 at 17:50
That's a good point, though only if the trailing apostrophe is added. Otherwise the possessive is lost.
– Phire
Jan 25 '13 at 18:04
That's a good point, though only if the trailing apostrophe is added. Otherwise the possessive is lost.
– Phire
Jan 25 '13 at 18:04
Yes, it's listed as one found, but not given in the examples of "grammatically questionable" uses, leaving it unclear whether they find that form questionable or not themselves.
– Jon Hanna
Jan 25 '13 at 18:06
Yes, it's listed as one found, but not given in the examples of "grammatically questionable" uses, leaving it unclear whether they find that form questionable or not themselves.
– Jon Hanna
Jan 25 '13 at 18:06
@Jon I submit that "heaven's sake" → "heaven sake" is metanalysis.
– RegDwigнt♦
Jan 25 '13 at 22:07
@Jon I submit that "heaven's sake" → "heaven sake" is metanalysis.
– RegDwigнt♦
Jan 25 '13 at 22:07
add a comment |
Those familiar with the development of the English language over the centuries will be aware that the names of the Apostles and Saints and other Holy Christian references do not have to confirm to man made rules pertaining to the language. Man made rules apply to descriptions of mortals not descriptions the Holies. That is one of the conventions of the language and English is the language of the King James Bible, Shakespeare, and Burns.In England many variations of Saints names exist on public signs and all are correct.
The question at hand is to decide between: "For Heaven's Sake" and "For Heaven Sakes"? Both are correct, for what earthbound mortal has the authority to apply rules to the Heavens? I hope this explains what the original poster was missing.
answered 6 mins ago
George Hust
1
New contributor
George Hust is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
Those familiar with the development of the English language over the centuries will be aware that the names of the Apostles and Saints and other Holy Christian references do not have to confirm to man made rules pertaining to the language. Man made rules apply to descriptions of mortals not descriptions the Holies. That is one of the conventions of the language and English is the language of the King James Bible, Shakespeare, and Burns.In England many variations of Saints names exist on public signs and all are correct.
The question at hand is to decide between: "For Heaven's Sake" and "For Heaven Sakes"? Both are correct, for what earthbound mortal has the authority to apply rules to the Heavens? I hope this explains what the original poster was missing.
answered 6 mins ago
George Hust
1
New contributor
George Hust is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
Those familiar with the development of the English language over the centuries will be aware that the names of the Apostles and Saints and other Holy Christian references do not have to confirm to man made rules pertaining to the language. Man made rules apply to descriptions of mortals not descriptions the Holies. That is one of the conventions of the language and English is the language of the King James Bible, Shakespeare, and Burns.In England many variations of Saints names exist on public signs and all are correct.
The question at hand is to decide between: "For Heaven's Sake" and "For Heaven Sakes"? Both are correct, for what earthbound mortal has the authority to apply rules to the Heavens? I hope this explains what the original poster was missing.
answered 6 mins ago
George Hust
1
New contributor
George Hust is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Those familiar with the development of the English language over the centuries will be aware that the names of the Apostles and Saints and other Holy Christian references do not have to confirm to man made rules pertaining to the language. Man made rules apply to descriptions of mortals not descriptions the Holies. That is one of the conventions of the language and English is the language of the King James Bible, Shakespeare, and Burns.In England many variations of Saints names exist on public signs and all are correct.
The question at hand is to decide between: "For Heaven's Sake" and "For Heaven Sakes"? Both are correct, for what earthbound mortal has the authority to apply rules to the Heavens? I hope this explains what the original poster was missing.
answered 6 mins ago
George Hust
1
New contributor
George Hust is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 6 mins ago
George Hust
1
New contributor
George Hust is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 6 mins ago
George Hust
1
answered 6 mins ago
George Hust
1
1
New contributor
George Hust is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
George Hust is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
George Hust is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
add a comment |
Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language & Usage Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Some of your past answers have not been well-received, and you're in danger of being blocked from answering.
Please pay close attention to the following guidance:
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f101554%2ffor-heavens-sake-or-for-heaven-sakes%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
For goodness sake! Most people don't bother even writing possessive apostrophe in goodness' there, and no-one ever enunciates it (or pluralises sakes). But we nearly always pluralise the facetiously stereotypical Land sakes! (which I invariably follow up with Lawks-a-mussy! :)
– FumbleFingers
Jan 25 '13 at 18:58
Interesting that no-one has suggested "for heavens' sake" i.e. for the sake of (all the) heavens.....
– Michael Dineen
May 31 '17 at 22:20
Just think which between "for my sake" or "for I sakes" sounds right.
– RegDwigнt♦
1 min ago