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
The lawsuit was filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan., on behalf of Anthony Alvarez, who recently completed his junior year at KU.
—
Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2025
Newsweek has contacted the Davenport Police Department and Epic Games on behalf of Fortnite for comment via email on Saturday.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025
The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against the Department of Defense Education Activity on behalf of 12 children of active duty service members.
—Kayla Jimenez, USA Today, 24 May 2025
On Friday, May 23, Guthrie shared the heartbreaking announcement on behalf of Jones.
—Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for behalf
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Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2025
Newsweek has contacted the Davenport Police Department and Epic Games on behalf of Fortnite for comment via email on Saturday.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025
The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against the Department of Defense Education Activity on behalf of 12 children of active duty service members.
—Kayla Jimenez, USA Today, 24 May 2025
On Friday, May 23, Guthrie shared the heartbreaking announcement on behalf of Jones.
—Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for behalf
Cite this Entry
“Behalf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behalf. Accessed 30 May. 2025.
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