Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Jerry Chen]

Hello,

I wonder how native speakers use "for the sake of" and "for."

For example,

For the sake of my birthday, Tom has reserved a table at the restaurant.

For my birthday, Tom has reserved a table at the restaurant.

Anything wrong with the first sentence? Do native speakers say it that way? What is the difference?

Thanks for responding to my question!

[pugachevV]

I would not use for the sake of in this situation. For is adequate and usual.

For the sake of means for the purpose of something; in the interests of something or in order to preserve something.