On Behalf of vs. in Behalf of: Usage Guide
A body of opinion favors in with the "interest, benefit" sense of behalf and on with the "support, defense" sense. This distinction has been observed by some writers but overall has never had a sound basis in actual usage. In current British use, on behalf (of) has replaced in behalf (of); both are still used in American English, but the distinction is frequently not observed.
Examples of behalf in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Joshi, who worked as Deputy Mayor of Operations, reportedly sent a joint statement on behalf of the deputies in an email to agency commissioners.
—
Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 17 Feb. 2025
Operating 161 accredited schools for children of military families, the Department of Defense Education Activity oversees the management of educational programs serving pre-K through 12th grade on behalf of the Department of Defense, according to the official DoDEA website.
—Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025
That temporary restraining order came one day after a federal judge in Baltimore temporarily blocked the executive order in response to a separate lawsuit filed on behalf of families with transgender or nonbinary children.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025
Although Ross is not nominated for Best Director at the Oscars, he is nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay alongside Joslyn Barnes, who is also one of the producers nominated for Best Picture on behalf of the film.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 16 Feb. 2025
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Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 17 Feb. 2025
Operating 161 accredited schools for children of military families, the Department of Defense Education Activity oversees the management of educational programs serving pre-K through 12th grade on behalf of the Department of Defense, according to the official DoDEA website.
—Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025
That temporary restraining order came one day after a federal judge in Baltimore temporarily blocked the executive order in response to a separate lawsuit filed on behalf of families with transgender or nonbinary children.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025
Although Ross is not nominated for Best Director at the Oscars, he is nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay alongside Joslyn Barnes, who is also one of the producers nominated for Best Picture on behalf of the film.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 16 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for behalf
Dictionary Entries Near behalf
Cite this Entry
“Behalf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behalf. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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