on their behalf

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on their behalf" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are expressing an action that is being done for someone else. For example: "John sent an email to the company on their behalf to ask for an extension on the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We must act on their behalf".

The New York Times

intervened on their behalf.

The New Yorker

He works on their behalf.

The Guardian

On their behalf, I thank you!

The Guardian

Mr. McCain traveled tirelessly on their behalf.

The New York Times

And I feel angry on their behalf".

The Guardian

I can't be outraged on their behalf.

The New York Times

Cyndi Lauper accepted it on their behalf.

The Guardian - Music

I will receive it on their behalf".

The New York Times

"They knew I spoke up on their behalf.

The New York Times - Sports

And there ought to be arguments on their behalf.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on their behalf" when you want to clearly indicate that you are acting as an agent or representative for someone else, ensuring your actions are understood as benefiting them directly.

Common error

Avoid using "on their behalf" if you are merely helping someone indirectly. Ensure there's a clear agency relationship, not just general assistance. Otherwise, use "for them" or similar.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on their behalf" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate that an action is taken as a representative or agent of someone else. Ludwig shows that this phrase is commonly used to denote advocacy or representation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on their behalf" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate that someone is acting as a representative or agent for others. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as formal business settings. Related phrases include "in their stead" and "for their sake", offering nuanced alternatives for expressing representation or advocacy. The phrase's frequency is very common, signaling its widespread acceptance in both written and spoken English. When using the expression, writers should be mindful of specifying the agency relationship and intent to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for them

A simpler, more general way of saying something is done to help them.

as their representative

This highlights the role of formally representing a group or individual.

representing them

Emphasizes the act of speaking or acting as an official advocate.

as their advocate

Highlights active support and defense of their cause or rights.

for their sake

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

in their interest

This focuses on actions that are beneficial to them.

in their stead

This phrase suggests replacing someone, often due to absence or inability to act.

as their proxy

This implies acting with delegated authority, often in voting or decision-making.

acting on their account

This suggests managing affairs or taking actions with their authorization.

in their place

Similar to 'in their stead' but can also mean acting as a substitute in a more general sense.

FAQs

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

Use "on their behalf" to indicate that an action is taken as a representative of someone. For example, "The lawyer argued the case in court on their behalf."

What's a simple alternative to "on their behalf"?

A simpler alternative is "for them". For example, instead of "I'm speaking on their behalf", you can say, "I'm speaking for them".

Is "on their behalf" formal or informal?

"On their behalf" is generally considered neutral to formal. In very informal contexts, "for them" might be preferred.

What is the difference between "on their behalf" and "in their stead"?

"On their behalf" means acting as a representative, while "in their stead" means acting as a replacement, usually because they are unable to act themselves.