on behalf of
on behalf of — idiom
1. doing something as the official agent for another person or group, so that what
doing something as the official agent for another person or group, so that what you do or say counts as theirs
Antonia signed the rental contract on behalf of her elderly father.
on behalf of + person, acting as their agent
The lawyer spoke on behalf of all three families during the court hearing.
Speaking on behalf of the whole team, Christopher thanked the volunteers warmly.
A nurse can collect the test results on behalf of a patient who cannot travel.
The minister accepted the award on behalf of the rescue workers who saved the village.
- representing
more neutral; states the role without the formal 'speak/act for' frame
- in the name of
stresses using someone's authority or identity
文法句型
on behalf of + person/group
用法筆記
Object is usually a person, group, or organisation that the speaker formally represents. Distinguish from sense 2: here the focus is acting AS the agent, not acting FOR someone's gain.
常見錯誤
2. in order to help someone or to support a cause that you care about
in order to help someone or to support a cause that you care about
Ayesha raised over a thousand dollars on behalf of children with no clean water.
on behalf of + cause, for its benefit
Neighbours started a petition on behalf of the families losing their homes.
Mira works long hours on behalf of stray dogs at the shelter.
The charity match was played on behalf of injured soldiers and their children.
Emre campaigned on behalf of farmers whose fields had dried up.
- in support of
stresses backing a cause or person publicly
- for the sake of
more personal; often about someone you care for
- against
opposing rather than helping
文法句型
on behalf of + person/cause
用法筆記
Subject acts to help or defend the object, who gains from the action. Distinguish from sense 1: the doer here is not the object's official agent, just a supporter working for their good.
3. as a result of what someone has done, or in order to make a particular person ha
as a result of what someone has done, or in order to make a particular person happy
On behalf of his late grandmother, Jin kept the little bakery open every morning.
on behalf of + person, doing it for their sake
Élise learned to cook the old recipes on behalf of her homesick mother.
The festival was revived on behalf of the village elders who missed it.
Indra planted the cherry trees on behalf of a friend who had moved abroad.
- for the sake of
very close; stresses doing it to please or honour someone
- in honour of
used when the person is being remembered or celebrated
文法句型
on behalf of + person
用法筆記
Marks the person whose wish or memory motivates the action, rather than one who directly gains from it. This sense is the rarest and shades into sense 2 when the person also benefits.