Meaning & use
on behalf of
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Meanings
prepositionfixed phrase
Acting as the representative of someone, or with their permission, so that your action counts as theirs.
Grammar: Followed by a person or group: speak on behalf of the team.
Patterns
- on behalf of someone
- do something on behalf of someone
I am writing on behalf of the whole class.
She accepted the award on behalf of her late father.
The lawyer signed the letter on behalf of his client.
prepositionfixed phrase
For the benefit of someone or something, as a way of supporting them.
Grammar: Usually follows a verb like campaign or work: campaign on behalf of refugees.
Patterns
- work on behalf of something
Volunteers raised funds on behalf of the local shelter.
He lobbied on behalf of small farmers.
The charity works on behalf of children in hospital.
Common combinations
- speak on behalf of
- I cannot speak on behalf of the whole department.
- sign on behalf of
- She signed the contract on behalf of the company.
- act on behalf of
- A lawyer may act on behalf of a client.
- apologize on behalf of
- He apologized on behalf of the airline.
- thank someone on behalf of
- I thank you on behalf of everyone here.
Synonyms and how they differ
- for
- For is simpler and less formal, but is less clear that you are officially representing someone.
- in place of
- This suggests substitution, whereas on behalf of suggests representation.
- representing
- Representing is a participle that works as a verb, while on behalf of is a prepositional phrase.
Opposites
Word family
- behalf noun
- the interest or part of someone, used only in set phrases
Commonly confused: on behalf of or on the behalf of? on behalf of or in behalf of?
on behalf of vs on the behalf of
Adding the is a common error; the correct fixed phrase is on behalf of.
on behalf of vs in behalf of
This mostly American variant means for the benefit of, and many writers use on behalf of for both senses.
Practice
The manager signed the paper ___ the company.
Choose one answer.
On behalf of means as the representative of. In front of is a place phrase and does not fit.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “on behalf of”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.