Word
behalf
Phoneticsbe·half
US/bɪˈhæf/
UK/bɪhˈɑːf/
Definitions
01representing someone
n. acting as a representative for another person or a group.
n. acting as the agent or representative of another party. In British English, 'on behalf of' covers both representation and benefit.
“The lawyer spoke on behalf of her client during the meeting.”
“The class president accepted the award on behalf of the entire student body, thanking the faculty for their continued support.”
Formal
Usage
Almost always used in the phrase 'on behalf of'.
Pitfall
I am writing in behalf of my company.
I am writing on behalf of my company.
While 'in behalf of' exists, 'on behalf of' is the standard choice for representation in most modern contexts.
Teaching tip
This is a high-frequency phrase in formal emails and speeches when one person speaks for a whole group.
Synonyms
02for someone's benefit
n. doing something to help someone or for their good.
n. acting in the interest or for the benefit of someone else. In American English, 'in behalf of' is sometimes specifically reserved for this 'benefit' sense.
“A collection was started in behalf of the families who lost their homes.”
“The foundation campaigned tirelessly in behalf of refugee children, ensuring they had access to legal counsel and medical care.”
Formal · American English
Usage
Often appears as 'in behalf of' in American legal or formal writing to mean 'for the benefit of'.
Teaching tip
Most learners only need 'on behalf of'. This 'benefit' distinction is subtle and primarily found in formal American prose.
Real-World Examples
“Under the new rules, that country will organise the concert "in its own right" and "will not be required to stage the event on behalf of another member".” “For those developing AI tools which are designed to take actions on a person's behalf, there is a careful balance to be struck between harnessing their benefits and exposing their risks.” “Meanwhile, lawyers acting on behalf of victims' families have focused on the moment at which an emergency power system began to operate.” Etymology
From Middle English bihalve (“nearby”), from Old English bī healfe (“by [his/her] side”), from bī (“by”) + healfe (“side, half”), equivalent to be- + half.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/behalf