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
Most of these objections have been filed on behalf of several parties, some of whom prefer to remain anonymous.
—
Joe Sabin, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Four years later, the Hotel Association signed a neutrality card check agreement on behalf of the city’s hotels with the Hotel Trades Council — a new umbrella organization representing every union that spoke for the city’s hotel workers.
—Shaun Richman, New York Daily News, 6 Apr. 2025
Laurie Flink, who works with Wasserman Schultz, did attend on her behalf.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2025
Copilot will now turn into a complete personal assistant with the ability to take action on a user’s behalf across select websites to book tickets to events, make restaurant reservations, and more.
—Ece Yildirim, Quartz, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for behalf
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Joe Sabin, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Four years later, the Hotel Association signed a neutrality card check agreement on behalf of the city’s hotels with the Hotel Trades Council — a new umbrella organization representing every union that spoke for the city’s hotel workers.
—Shaun Richman, New York Daily News, 6 Apr. 2025
Laurie Flink, who works with Wasserman Schultz, did attend on her behalf.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2025
Copilot will now turn into a complete personal assistant with the ability to take action on a user’s behalf across select websites to book tickets to events, make restaurant reservations, and more.
—Ece Yildirim, Quartz, 4 Apr. 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 12 Apr. 2025.
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