pay on behalf

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pay on behalf" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are paying for something on someone else's behalf, meaning that you are acting as a representative and paying for it instead of them. For example, "I will pay on behalf of my friend who doesn't have enough money right now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Family members say that when they tried to pay on behalf of their mother, the bank was uncooperative.

The New York Times

Cases can take years to resolve, and companies have little control over legal fees they have contractually committed themselves to pay on behalf of individual employees.

The New York Times

What, for example, is to happen to the 7 trillion won that the insolvent banks have guaranteed to pay on behalf of customers who may go bankrupt?

The Economist

The federal government now sets a fixed-price benefit that private health insurers are required to pay on behalf of their members for more than 10,000 internal medical devices through the prostheses list advisory committee.

The Guardian

One is the insuring clause, in which the insurer agrees to pay on behalf of the insured all sums that the insured shall become legally obligated to pay as damages because of bodily injury, sickness or disease, wrongful death, or injury to another person's property.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While the Commerce Department's report covers an array of personal income, even counting as income the health insurance premiums that companies pay on behalf of their employees, the Labor Department focuses only on the average hourly wage of the nation's 90 million workers outside the ranks of management.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

A bill introduced by Representative Randy Neugebauer, Republican of Texas, that would limit the potential legal fees paid on behalf of individuals at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac gives a hint at one way in which companies might be able to recover at least some of the legal costs paid to individuals accused of wrongdoing.

The New York Times

Any expenses reimbursed or paid on behalf of an individual being recruited are considered recruitment expenses.

Cornell University

The amounts to be paid on behalf of 1MDB total an astonishing US$7.46 billion.

Yale University

However, housing assistance may not be paid on behalf of an owner.

Cornell University

However, does not take into account £500m government pays on behalf of over-75s.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pay on behalf", ensure clarity regarding who is making the payment and who is benefiting from it. For example, "Our company will "pay on behalf" of employees for their health insurance premiums".

Common error

Avoid using "pay on behalf" when you are referring to a direct payment made to the actual recipient rather than acting as an intermediary. Direct payments do not involve paying on behalf of someone else.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pay on behalf" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb to indicate that a payment is being made for the benefit or responsibility of someone else. Ludwig provides many examples that confirm its use in diverse situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

23%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pay on behalf" accurately describes making a payment for someone else's responsibility or benefit. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and usability. While its formality level is neutral to professional, it’s common in news, academic, and business contexts. To avoid confusion, clarify who benefits from the payment and ensure it isn't a direct payment to the final recipient. Alternatives include "settle an invoice for", "defray costs for", and "cover expenses for", depending on the specific scenario. Though not extremely common, with its frequency classified as 'uncommon', "pay on behalf" is a precise and reliable way to express third-party payment actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

settle an invoice for

Focuses on settling an invoice, implying a specific bill is being paid instead of a general payment.

cover expenses for

Highlights the act of taking responsibility for someone else’s expenses.

defray costs for

Emphasizes covering the expenses or costs associated with something or someone.

remit payment for

Focuses on sending or transmitting a payment for someone else.

provide financial assistance for

Emphasizes giving aid or support in financial matters for someone else.

discharge a debt for

Implies the full settlement of a debt, releasing someone from their financial obligation.

sponsor the costs of

Highlights the act of supporting or underwriting the expenses of someone or something.

make a contribution for

Suggests offering financial assistance or a donation toward something.

handle the financial obligations of

Focuses on managing and taking care of someone's monetary responsibilities.

subsidize payments for

Indicates providing financial support to reduce the cost of payments for someone.

FAQs

What does "pay on behalf" mean?

To "pay on behalf" of someone means to make a payment for them, acting as their representative or agent.

How is "pay on behalf" used in a sentence?

You can use "pay on behalf" in sentences like, "The company will "pay on behalf" of its employees for their training expenses", or "I will "pay on behalf" of my friend since he is unable to do so at the moment".

What are some alternatives to "pay on behalf"?

Alternatives include "settle an invoice for", "defray costs for", or "cover expenses for" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "pay on behalf" and direct payment?

"Pay on behalf" means acting as an intermediary, whereas a direct payment is made to the intended recipient directly. If you are remitting money to someone's bank account you are not acting on behalf of them, rather, simply paying them.