serving as an agent for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serving as an agent for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone or something that acts on behalf of another person or entity in a specific capacity. Example: "The lawyer is serving as an agent for the client during the negotiations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mr. Fai was charged with failing to register with the Justice Department that he was serving as an agent for the Pakistan government.

The New York Times

Private sector immunization provider sites included private providers, faculty practices, health maintenance organizations, and private hospitals (not serving as an agent for an FQHC).

BMC Pediatrics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

He said his son wanted his accident to serve as an agent for change and reform.

The New York Times - Health

The company also serves as an agent for a number of tour operators such as Backroads and Mountain Travel Sobek, which offer group tours.

The New York Times - Travel

"We are grappling with the issues of over-incarceration in New York and around [the US]." Courts, he said, could serve as an agent for change.

The Guardian

The specialist's job struck me as almost impossibly stressful; in addition to acting as an auctioneer and a principal, Plum is often asked to serve as an agent for floor brokers who want to trade in one of his stocks but also want to be trading with someone else in a different place at the same time.

The New Yorker

In 1808 the United States Postmaster wrote to the Secretary of the Treasury that Favre, who was still a Spanish subject, served as an agent for the post office, forwarding the mail passing through Spanish lands.

Wikipedia

Griswold had served as an agent for several American authors, but it is unclear whether Poe appointed him to be the executor or whether Griswold became executor through a trick or a mistake by Poe's aunt and mother-in-law, Maria.

Wikipedia

A few physicians noted that the test could serve as an agent of hope for patients who are mutation negative as it provided them with additional treatment options.

Cancer Medicine

It is our hope that the BioCore Guide will serve as an agent of change for biology departments as we move toward transforming undergraduate biology education.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Yes, they serve as an agent of historical context for the larger audience to understand the circumstances of what's about to come, yet not fully grasp it.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "serving as an agent for", ensure that the context clearly identifies both the agent and the principal (the entity being represented).

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating the relationship between the agent and the entity they represent. For example, specify which organization or person the agent is acting on behalf of.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serving as an agent for" functions as a prepositional phrase that describes a role or capacity in which someone or something is acting. It indicates representation or acting on behalf of another party, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "serving as an agent for" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe someone or something acting on behalf of another party. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not overly common, it appears in news, scientific, and general contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding both the agent and the entity being represented. Alternatives like "acting on behalf of" or "representing" can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acting on behalf of

This alternative focuses on the action of representing or acting for another party.

representing

This term highlights the act of speaking or acting for someone else.

functioning as

This emphasizes the role or purpose that someone or something fulfills.

acting as an intermediary for

This specifies the role of facilitating communication or transactions between parties.

in the service of

This alternative indicates dedication or commitment to a cause or entity.

deputizing for

This suggests a temporary or delegated authority to act in place of someone.

liaising with

This highlights the role of connecting and communicating between different groups.

brokering for

This suggests facilitating deals or negotiations between parties.

advocating for

This emphasizes the act of supporting or promoting the interests of another.

standing in for

This conveys the idea of temporarily replacing or representing someone.

FAQs

What does "serving as an agent for" mean?

It means acting on behalf of or representing another person, company, or entity in a specific capacity. Similar to "acting on behalf of" or "representing".

How can I use "serving as an agent for" in a sentence?

For example: "The lawyer is serving as an agent for the client during the negotiations." You can replace it with "functioning as" if it suits the context better.

Which is a better way to phrase it, "serving as an agent for" or "acting as an agent of"?

"Serving as an agent for" typically implies representing a specific entity, while "acting as an agent of" suggests acting under the authority or influence of something. You can also use "acting as an intermediary for".

Are there any formal alternatives to "serving as an agent for"?

Yes, formal alternatives include "representing", "acting on behalf of", or "in the service of", depending on the context.