on his behalf

USAGE SUMMARY

"on his behalf" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe an action taken or a statement made by someone other than the person being mentioned, usually in place of the mentioned person. For example: The lawyer gave a statement on his behalf.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The priest later testified on his behalf.

The New York Times - Magazine

They spent generously on his behalf.

The Economist

It was frustration on his behalf.

The Guardian - Sport

I cannot reply on his behalf".

The Guardian

I am accepting on his behalf.

The Guardian - Music

Top lawmakers weighed in on his behalf.

The New York Times

His wife accepted on his behalf.

The Guardian - Music

Petitions have been circulated on his behalf.

The New York Times

I am quietly terrified on his behalf.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He took a big charge on his behalf".

The New York Times - Sports

(He was reinstated when a doctor intervened on his behalf).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on his behalf" when someone is acting as an authorized representative for another person, whether in legal, personal, or professional matters. Ensure clarity by specifying who is acting and for whom.

Common error

Avoid using "on his behalf" if the person is simply helping or assisting without formal representation. Use phrases like "for him" or "to help him" instead if there is no representative capacity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on his behalf" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by indicating that an action is performed or a statement is made by someone acting as a representative for another person. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on his behalf" is a common and correct prepositional phrase used to indicate that someone is acting as a representative for another person. According to Ludwig, its grammatical status is "Correct" and it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates a formal or authorized representation, distinguishing it from general assistance. The phrase is versatile and appropriate for various writing styles, but it is most commonly found in formal and professional communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acting for him

A general way to say someone is performing actions that the person would do themselves.

as his representative

This phrase clearly defines the role of the person acting for another.

representing him

This option is a more direct way of saying someone is acting as a representative.

in his name

Highlights that the action is done with the authority or permission of the person.

in his stead

This alternative suggests someone is taking the place of another, often temporarily.

as his proxy

Suggests a formal or official representation.

for his sake

This phrase emphasizes the benefit or well-being of the person being represented.

for his benefit

Emphasizes that the action is intended to help the person.

in his interest

Focuses on actions that are beneficial or advantageous to the person.

on account of him

This alternative stresses that something is done because of him.

FAQs

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

You can use "on his behalf" to indicate that someone is acting as a representative for another person. For example, "The lawyer entered a plea "on his behalf"."

What are some alternatives to "on his behalf"?

Alternatives include "in his stead", "for his sake", or "representing him", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "on his behalf" in formal writing?

Yes, "on his behalf" is perfectly acceptable in formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to indicate representation. The abundance of examples from reputable sources listed above attests to that.

What's the difference between "on his behalf" and "for him"?

"On his behalf" implies a formal or representative action, while "for him" can indicate general assistance or support without necessarily implying formal representation. For instance, "I did it "for him"" suggests you helped him, but "I signed the contract "on his behalf"" indicates you were authorized to act as his representative.