behalf

IPA/bɪˈhɑːf/
KK[bɪhˈæf]IPA/bɪˈhæf/

behalf — noun

1. speaking, acting, or doing something as the official representative of another p

1.nounB2
Definition

speaking, acting, or doing something as the official representative of another person or group, with their authority — for example, a lawyer arguing in court for a client, or an assistant signing a letter when the manager is away.

Example

Tariq accepted the award on behalf of his grandfather, who was too ill to travel.

fixed phrase: on behalf of + person

The lawyer signed the contract on behalf of the company.

on behalf of + organization

Common collocations
  • speak on behalf of
  • act on behalf of
  • accept on behalf of
  • sign on behalf of
  • vote on behalf of
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

on behalf of + person/group

on someone's behalf

Usage Note

Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'on behalf of [someone]' or 'on someone's behalf'. The noun is rarely used by itself outside these phrases. American English sometimes uses 'in behalf of' for sense 2 (benefit), but 'on behalf of' is now standard for both meanings in most modern writing.

Common Mistakes

I am writing in behalf of the manager.
I am writing on behalf of the manager.
when you mean 'as a representative', use 'on behalf of', not 'in behalf of'.
On behalf the team, thank you.
On behalf of the team, thank you.
you must include 'of' after 'behalf'.

2. with the goal of helping, supporting, or protecting someone, or for their benefi

2.nounB2
Definition

with the goal of helping, supporting, or protecting someone, or for their benefit — for example, a parent fighting the school board to get extra support for their child, or campaigners working to free a prisoner.

Example

Mrs. Ilya wrote to the principal on behalf of her son, who was being bullied at school.

for someone's benefit / protection

Volunteers raised over fifty thousand dollars on behalf of the flood victims.

fundraising / charitable cause

Common collocations
  • campaign on behalf of
  • fight on behalf of
  • raise money on behalf of
  • intervene on behalf of
  • worry on someone's behalf
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • against

    opposite when the action helps vs. opposes someone

Grammar Patterns

on behalf of + person/cause

on someone's behalf

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1 by intent: sense 2 is about helping or supporting someone, not formally representing them. If you can replace the phrase with 'for the benefit of' or 'in support of', this is sense 2. Older American writing uses 'in behalf of' for this meaning, but most modern style guides accept 'on behalf of' for both senses.

Common Mistakes

She suffered behalf of her family.
She suffered on behalf of her family.
'behalf' must be inside the phrase 'on behalf of' or 'on someone's behalf'.
Don't go to any trouble in my behalf.
Don't go to any trouble on my behalf.
modern usage prefers 'on' even for the benefit meaning.
Idioms

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four expressions can mark one person acting for another, but they differ in formality and focus. 'On behalf of' is the standard, neutral-to-formal choice for representation: a lawyer speaks on behalf of a client; an MP votes on behalf of voters. 'In the name of' is more ceremonial and often invokes authority — 'I arrest you in the name of the law' — and can also mean 'using someone's name' even without permission. 'As a representative of' is the long, very formal paraphrase used in official titles and introductions. Plain 'for' is the everyday spoken stand-in: 'Can you sign for me?' Use 'on behalf of' in business letters and speeches; use 'for' when chatting with a friend; reserve 'in the name of' for legal, religious, or rhetorical contexts.

on behalf of ↗in the name of ↗for ↗as a representative of

Common collocations

Nouns

  • behalf of the company
  • behalf of the family
  • behalf of the team
  • behalf of the government

Phrases

  • on behalf of all of us
  • on my/your/his/her/their behalf
  • speak on behalf of
  • act on behalf of
  • campaign on behalf of

Prepositions

  • on behalf of
  • on someone's behalf
  • in behalf of (older American usage)

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The modern noun grew out of the Middle English phrase 'bi halve' (around the 1300s), meaning 'on the side of' or 'in the interest of'. It joined the older preposition 'by' with 'halve', a form of 'half' that had taken on the broader sense of 'side' or 'part'. Over time the two words fused into one noun, 'behalf', which today survives almost only inside the fixed phrases 'on behalf of' and 'on someone's behalf'.