buying on behalf

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "buying on behalf" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone is making a purchase for someone else or representing another party in a transaction. Example: "I will be buying on behalf of my colleague who is unable to attend the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The bank says it was buying on behalf of clients.

The Economist

This is useful for collectors, but not necessarily for dealers buying on behalf of clients, who find their trade secrets exposed.

The Economist

When customers are buying for their own homes, the sales process is very different from when they are buying on behalf of a corporation, and the logistical aspects of shipping furniture to residential addresses are challenging.

The New York Times

He denied rumors that he was buying on behalf of the Sultan of Brunei.

Forbes

Burzichelli's bill proposes a lottery in which only student loan borrowers and those buying on behalf and for the benefit of borrowers can participate.

Huffington Post

"Thousands of us discussed what we should do and together we came up with the idea of using our power as customers to try to negotiate cheaper energy tariffs by effectively bulk buying on behalf of the group.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The most impactful consumers are the ones who buy on behalf of their businesses –whether they work for the private sector or government.

The Washington Post

It was bought on behalf of Bruno Eberli, a Swiss-born financier based in New York and one of the most fearless bidders in the West.

The Economist

It's bought on behalf of cash-strapped wildlife NGOs in the developing world.

Independent

He has sometimes spent years in pursuit of a particular timepiece and often renovates the pieces he buys on behalf of his clientele.

The New York Times

vote-counting machines, which New York City is preparing to buy on behalf of its three million registered voters, may become the realization of Harris's vision of futuristic electronic voting.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When "buying on behalf" of a client or organization, ensure clear documentation of the authorization and the agreed-upon terms of the purchase. This helps avoid misunderstandings and liabilities.

Common error

Avoid using "buying on behalf" when you mean "buying in place of". "On behalf" implies representation, while "in place of" suggests substitution or filling in for someone who cannot act themselves.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "buying on behalf" functions as a prepositional phrase often used as an adverbial modifier, indicating the capacity or representation under which a purchase is made. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "buying on behalf" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to describe purchasing something as a representative of another party. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, highlighting its function as a prepositional phrase often modifying a verb. It appears across various sources, including news outlets and business publications, with a generally neutral tone. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in documenting authorizations and avoid confusing it with similar phrases like "buying in place of". Consider "purchasing on behalf of" or "acquiring for someone" as alternative options to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

purchasing on behalf of

Replaces "buying" with "purchasing", a more formal synonym.

making a purchase for

Directly states the action of making a purchase with the intended recipient.

acquiring for someone

Uses "acquiring" to emphasize the act of obtaining, and "for someone" clarifies the beneficiary.

buying in place of

Suggests that the action of buying is being done instead of the person that normally would.

procuring on behalf of

Employs "procuring," suggesting a more formal or official acquisition process.

obtaining for another

Uses "obtaining", focusing on the action of getting something for someone else.

securing for another party

Focuses on the act of ensuring something is obtained for someone else.

acting as a purchasing agent

Highlights the role of an intermediary in the buying process.

representing in a purchase

Highlights the act of representing someone during a transaction.

acting as proxy buyer

Uses the term "proxy buyer" to specify a person authorized to buy for someone else.

FAQs

What does "buying on behalf" mean?

The phrase "buying on behalf" means purchasing something as a representative or agent of another person or entity. It implies that the buyer is acting with the authorization and for the benefit of someone else.

How can I use "buying on behalf" in a sentence?

You can use "buying on behalf" to indicate that you are making a purchase for someone else, such as "I am "purchasing on behalf of" my company" or "She is "buying this gift on behalf of" our team."

What are some alternatives to "buying on behalf"?

Alternatives include phrases like "purchasing for", "acquiring for someone", or "procuring on behalf of".

Is it correct to say "buying on the behalf of"?

No, the correct phrase is "buying on behalf of". The phrase "on the behalf of" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. Use simply "on behalf of".