on your behalf

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phraseformal

   Acting in your place or as your representative, doing something that you would otherwise have to do yourself.

   Grammar: Usually follows a verb: she signed on your behalf; the possessive changes (my, his, their).

   Patterns

   • do something on someone's behalf
   • speak on someone's behalf
   • sign on someone's behalf

   My lawyer will sign the contract on your behalf.

   I called the airline on your behalf, but they could not change the booking.

   Thank you for collecting the package on your behalf; I was stuck at work.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   For your benefit or for your sake, because of your interests, often when someone makes an effort for you.

   Grammar: Often appears with a feeling or effort: I am happy on your behalf.

   Patterns

   • be happy on someone's behalf
   • worry on someone's behalf

   I was thrilled on your behalf when I heard about the promotion.

   She felt embarrassed on your behalf after what he said.

   They fought hard on your behalf to keep the library open.

Common combinations

act on your behalf

My accountant can act on your behalf if you cannot attend.

speak on your behalf

Nobody asked her to speak on your behalf.

apologize on your behalf

I apologized on your behalf for missing the meeting.

sign on your behalf

A relative may sign on your behalf with your written consent.

negotiate on your behalf

Agents negotiate on your behalf with publishers.

Synonyms and how they differ

for you

For you is plain and everyday, while on your behalf stresses that someone is formally standing in for you.

in your place

In your place focuses on replacing you physically, whereas on your behalf also covers representing your interests.

as your representative

As your representative names the role directly and sounds more official than on your behalf.

Opposites

Word family

behalf noun

the interest or part of someone, used almost only in set phrases

on behalf of phrase

representing a person or group

proxy noun

a person authorized to act for another

Commonly confused: on your behalf or on your behave? on your behalf or in your behalf?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “on your behalf”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words