in whose name

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in whose name" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to ask who is responsible for something. For example, "Can you tell me in whose name this package was sent?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So in whose name is he talking?

The Guardian - Opinion

(6 Holder means the sponsor in whose name an orphan drug is designated and approved.

Cornell University

Mosques symbolize the religion in whose name the heinous deed was done.

The New Yorker

The masses in whose name the Communist party claimed to rule were eminently disposable.

The Guardian - Books

People would rightly ask in whose name that was being done.

The Guardian - Opinion

First, how should people in whose name the violence is perpetrated respond?

The Guardian - Opinion

The victors saw no great need to overhaul the document in whose name they had triumphed.

The New Yorker

Born in 1933, Akihito was heir to Emperor Hirohito, in whose name Japan fought the second world war.

The Guardian

Fascism is an ideology in whose name millions were murdered on the basis of their race or beliefs.

The Guardian

He knew Maggie Keswick Jencks, in whose name the centres are being built, before her early death from breast cancer.

The Guardian - Arts

Surely, I suggested, "international confidence" - that ethereal advantage in whose name so many crimes are committed - is equally well informed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in whose name" to critically examine the motivations or justifications behind actions, especially when authority or representation is unclear.

Common error

Avoid using "in whose name" when the responsible party is clearly identified; it's best suited for situations where accountability is uncertain or contested.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in whose name" functions as an interrogative prepositional phrase. It questions the authority, justification, or representation behind an action or decision, as seen in the examples Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in whose name" serves as a critical inquiry into the source of authority, justification, or representation behind an action. It's grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to seek clarification or challenge legitimacy. When using this phrase, ensure the context involves uncertain or contested accountability to avoid misattribution. Alternatives include "under whose authority" or "on whose behalf" for a less accusatory tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In the name of whom

A more formal and sometimes archaic way of asking who is being represented.

Under whose authority

Focuses specifically on the authorization or permission behind an action.

On whose orders

Directly asks whose command or instruction was followed.

On whose behalf

Highlights acting as a representative for someone else.

By whose decree

Emphasizes the formal command or order that something is done.

Under whose auspices

Highlights the patronage or support under which something is done.

Who authorized this

Directly asks about the person who gave permission or approval.

Who takes responsibility

Shifts the focus to accountability for an action or decision.

By whose hand

Implies direct action or involvement by a specific person.

For whose sake

Emphasizes the beneficiary or the one who benefits from an action.

FAQs

How can I use "in whose name" in a sentence?

You can use "in whose name" to question the authority or justification behind an action. For example, "In whose name are these policies being implemented?"

What's a more formal way to phrase "in whose name"?

A more formal alternative is "in the name of whom". For example, "In the name of whom was this decision made?"

When is it appropriate to use "in whose name"?

It's appropriate when questioning the legitimacy or source of authority behind an action, especially when the represented party is unclear or disputed. For example, "The protesters asked, in whose name is this land being developed?"

What can I say instead of "in whose name" to sound less accusatory?

You can use "under whose authority" or "on whose behalf" to inquire about the source of power or representation without implying wrongdoing.