at their behest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at their behest" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is done at someone's request or command. Example: "The project was initiated at their behest, reflecting their strong interest in the outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

At their behest, regulators and lawmakers blocked the idea.

The New York Times

We've spent a lively if occasionally repetitive hour slagging off, at their behest, corporation pop.

The Guardian - Music

Richard, stung by the Commons' effrontery, retorted that he would not remove one scullion from his kitchen at their behest.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 2010, at their behest, he launched a review of copyright law intended to boost British firms.

The Economist

In fact, nearly all of the new companies were wholly owned by Irisl, run by Irisl officials or set up at their behest.

The New York Times

The companies are either run by Irisl officials, set up at their behest or wholly owned by Irisl, corporate records and interviews show.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Some (not many) came with their wives; several suggested that wives should attend; many had come at their wives' behest.

The Economist

Now the bureau is struggling to deal with all the Arabic-speaking Americans who are calling at their imams' behest.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, many foreign banks have fortified their finances at their regulators' behest, while avoiding the restrictions and stress tests required of many American rivals.

The New York Times

"It is possible that soon we will say that the real danger to the country is not the oligarchs, but the overextended government power of bureaucrats acting at their own behest".

The New York Times

Adults sign up and pay the bills so they should have the ability to change it at their own behest.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience; while grammatically correct, "at their behest" might sound overly formal in casual contexts. Choose synonyms like "at their request" for broader appeal.

Common error

Don't use "at their behest" in informal conversations or casual writing. Its formality can sound out of place and pretentious in less formal contexts. Save it for reports, legal documents, or when you need to convey a sense of official compliance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at their behest" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the instigator or cause of an action. Ludwig examples show it is used to specify that something was done on someone's orders or request.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at their behest" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to indicate that an action was carried out at someone's request or command. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most frequently found in formal contexts such as news articles, encyclopedias and formal documents. While perfectly correct, its formal tone may be unsuitable for informal settings. Consider alternatives such as "at their request" for broader application. When using "at their behest", ensure that the context calls for a level of formality and that your audience will readily understand the expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at their request

Direct synonym, replaces 'behest' with a more common word.

on their instruction

Emphasizes the directive aspect of the request.

under their direction

Highlights the controlling influence.

by their command

Conveys a sense of authority and order.

at their bidding

Suggests a subservient or obedient action.

as they directed

A more descriptive and less formal alternative.

following their lead

Implies guidance and following an example.

in accordance with their wishes

Highlights the desire and preference of the influencing party.

pursuant to their demands

More formal and legalistic, implying a requirement.

as per their instructions

Common in business settings, indicates adherence to specific directions.

FAQs

What does "at their behest" mean?

The phrase "at their behest" means that something is done at someone's request or command. It implies that an action is taken because someone has asked or instructed that it be done.

When is it appropriate to use "at their behest" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "at their behest" in formal writing, such as legal documents, official reports, or news articles, where you want to indicate that an action was carried out at someone's specific instruction. In more casual settings, using phrases like "at their request" may be more suitable.

What are some alternatives to "at their behest"?

Some alternatives to "at their behest" include "at their request", "on their instruction", "under their direction", or "by their command". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

Is "at their behest" grammatically correct?

Yes, "at their behest" is grammatically correct. The Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples of its usage in reliable sources. The construction "at [possessive pronoun] behest" is a standard English idiom.