at the behest of

USAGE SUMMARY

"at the behest of" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is used when someone does something at the direct request of another person. For example: "I decided to take on the extra responsibility at the behest of my manager."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

At the behest of then-Gov.

The New York Times

"Clearly, I work at the behest of the players.

The New York Times - Sports

TMZ posted the video at the behest of Carter's family.

The Guardian - Music

Baidu did so, they said, at the behest of the Chinese government.

Stanford University

Here the great Via dei Fori Imperiali, designed at the behest of Mussolini.

Yale University

At a meeting we once had at the behest of former-U.S.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

She also made a series of fifty commercials for Pepsi at the behest of Joan Crawford.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

In 1991, cost recovery measures were further strengthened at the behest of the World Bank [ 12].

BMC Health Services Research

The following day, at the behest of a McCann-Erickson executive, Ken is fired by Roger.

Duke University

First question is at the behest of our president.

Forbes

At the behest of my parents I started to learn how to play the piano.

University of Chicago

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the behest of" to clearly indicate that an action was taken because someone else specifically requested or ordered it. This emphasizes the influence or authority of the person making the request.

Common error

Avoid using "at the behest of" in very informal contexts. It is better suited for formal writing or when emphasizing the power dynamic between individuals. In casual conversation, consider using phrases like "at the suggestion of" or "because of" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the behest of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating the instigation or cause of an action. It specifies that something was done following someone's explicit request or command. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, showing usage across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the behest of" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate that an action was taken at someone's request or command. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. With very common usage, it appears frequently in formal contexts like news, academia, and encyclopedias. When writing, remember that while it's a strong phrase for emphasizing influence, it's best reserved for formal or semi-formal contexts. Alternatives such as "at the request of" or "on the orders of" can be used for similar effect, depending on the level of formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the request of

Indicates a formal request leading to an action, closely mirroring the original phrase.

at the direction of

Implies a more authoritative command or instruction being followed.

as instructed by

Directly points to instructions received as the reason for acting.

on the orders of

Suggests a direct and official command, often used in military or hierarchical contexts.

at the command of

Emphasizes authority and control in initiating the action.

at the instruction of

Highlights the role of specific instructions in prompting the action.

at the urging of

Focuses on encouragement or persuasion as the reason for the action.

at the prompting of

Similar to urging but suggests a more subtle form of encouragement.

following the advice of

Suggests influence through guidance rather than direct command.

on behalf of

Indicates acting as a representative or in the interest of someone.

FAQs

What does "at the behest of" mean?

The phrase "at the behest of" means that something is done at someone's request or command. It implies that one person or entity has instructed or asked another to take a specific action.

How can I use "at the behest of" in a sentence?

You can use "at the behest of" to show that an action was performed because someone else requested it. For example: "The project was initiated at the behest of the CEO."

What can I say instead of "at the behest of"?

You can use alternatives like "at the request of", "on the orders of", or "at the direction of" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "at the behest of"?

It is appropriate to use "at the behest of" in formal writing or when you want to emphasize that an action was specifically requested or commanded by someone. It adds a level of formality and highlights the influencer's authority.