at her behest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at her behest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is done at someone's request or command. Example: "He agreed to take on the project at her behest, knowing it was important to her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

But some people close to him say key appointments are made and unmade at her behest.

The Economist

Today, a steady stream of her famous friends called The New York Times at her behest to offer testimonials.

The New York Times

She ordered the memo to be shredded, resolving that if the euro area is to fragment, it will not be at her behest.

The Economist

Or maybe it was the fact that he'd spent the morning spanking Keira Knightley at her behest (for a scene in the film, obviously).

Independent

Mr. Moreno and Mr. Mata explained that they returned to check on the woman at her behest and that Mr. Moreno was counseling her on her drinking.

The New York Times

Ms. Goodwin said then that, at her behest, her publisher, Simon & Schuster, would destroy all of the unsold copies of the paperback edition and produce a corrected version.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

She took up the cello at her parents' behest but professes to hate it, even though she made an all-county orchestra while vowing to skip the concerts.

The New York Times

In that sense, she inevitably puts herself in the position of the police by bringing the raid, willfully and at her own behest — under her own moment-by-moment decision-making — into being again.

The New Yorker

At her parents' behest, she also took fashion classes at a nearby school.

Wikipedia

At her agents' behest, Metcalf watched some of the original BBC series "Getting On" is adapted from and she found it "absolutely terrific".

Huffington Post

Her mother had an affair with a family friend, at her father's behest.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at her behest" when you want to emphasize the influence or authority someone has in causing something to happen. It adds a slightly formal tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "at her behest" in very informal contexts. It can sound overly formal or even archaic in casual conversation. Consider using a simpler phrase like "because she asked" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at her behest" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate the reason or instigation behind an action. Ludwig examples show it commonly introducing the cause of an event or decision.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at her behest" is a useful way to indicate that an action was taken at someone's request or command. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in News & Media. While "at her behest" is often interchangeable with simpler phrases like "at her request", it adds a touch of formality and emphasizes the influence or authority of the person making the request. It's crucial to consider the context and audience when choosing between "at her behest" and other alternatives to ensure your writing maintains the appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at her request

This alternative is a more straightforward and common way of saying something was done because she asked for it.

on her orders

This suggests a more direct command or instruction was given.

at her command

This implies a higher level of authority or control.

as she directed

This phrase focuses on the act of giving direction or instruction.

following her instructions

This highlights the adherence to specific guidance provided by her.

because she wanted it

This is a simpler and more direct way to express the reason for the action.

due to her prompting

This suggests that she initiated or encouraged the action.

as a result of her urging

This emphasizes the persuasive or encouraging nature of her influence.

on her recommendation

This implies that her suggestion or advice was followed.

with her blessing

This suggests that she gave her approval or consent to the action.

FAQs

How can I use "at her behest" in a sentence?

You can use "at her behest" to indicate that an action was taken because someone requested or ordered it. For example: "The project was initiated at her behest."

What is a simple alternative to "at her behest"?

A simple alternative is "at her request", which conveys the same meaning in a less formal way.

Is "at her behest" formal or informal?

"At her behest" is generally considered a formal phrase. Using it adds a touch of formality or emphasis to the sentence.

What's the difference between "at her behest" and "on her orders"?

"At her behest" suggests a request or influence, while "on her orders" implies a more direct command or instruction.