sign for someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sign for someone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of signing a document or package on behalf of another person. Example: "I was unable to pick up the package, so I asked my neighbor to sign for me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I give him the internationally recognised sign for someone who has sex on his own – well, I would if I dared take a hand off the wheel.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She also said a battery of tests showed that his memory fell into the low-average range, a potential warning sign for someone like Mr. Cherry, who, she said, was of average intelligence.

The New York Times

A big warning sign for someone like this is if he's too busy checking his phone to listen to you.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

For example, the prevalence of admitted academic cheating of medical students for the four academic misbehaviours that were included in this study were 89.1% for signing for someone else on the attendance sheet, 52.2% for copying answers during a test and 1.6% for using private connections to pass an exam [ 11].

BMC Medical Education

Following the funeral, I looked back and couldn't believe that I had given a eulogy in sign language for someone I had never met.

The Guardian

Raising the middle finger – the universally recognised sign for thinking someone else is a dickhead – is just a "thing" him and Kyle Walker do.

Vice

So if he signed up for someone who looks vaguely like a young Meg Whitman, but winds up with someone who looks like a middle-aged Kim Kardashian — too bad.

The New York Times - Arts

She ends her e-mail messages with the exhortation "Stay Metal," a funny sign-off for someone who deals mostly in images of flowing water, flowers and the squishier parts of the body, often her own.

The New York Times - Magazine

But when she got to the meeting location for the protest, there were about 50 women with protest signs waiting for someone to get things started.

Huffington Post

The Giants lost 7-3 as Lincecum's ERA ballooned 9.90, a bit on the high side for someone who recently signed a two-year deal north of $30m.

The Guardian - Sport

Once you know you have it, it is no longer a sign -- but for someone about to enter in, it is a sign.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sign for someone", ensure that you have the proper authorization or permission to do so, especially in legal or official contexts.

Common error

Don't assume you can "sign for someone" without explicit consent. Always confirm permission to avoid legal or ethical issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sign for someone" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically indicating the act of signing a document or accepting a delivery on behalf of another person. Ludwig confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sign for someone" is a grammatically correct and usable prepositional phrase, indicating the act of one person signing on behalf of another. Ludwig's analysis suggests the phrase is most commonly found in news, wiki, and scientific contexts. While the phrase is relatively uncommon, it is widely understood and accepted. When using "sign for someone", ensure you have permission to act on their behalf. Common alternatives include "sign on behalf of" or "authorize someone to sign". Overall, this phrase is a straightforward way to communicate representation in signing matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sign on behalf of someone

A more formal and explicit way of saying "sign for someone".

co-sign for someone

Indicates sharing responsibility by signing with someone.

countersign for someone

Adds the nuance of verifying someone else's signature.

endorse for someone

Implies supporting or approving something on behalf of another.

initial for someone

Refers to adding initials instead of a full signature for someone.

authenticate for someone

Focuses on confirming the validity of a document or identity for another person.

validate for someone

Highlights the act of making something officially valid for another person.

put your name down for someone

Suggests registering or committing someone to something.

attest for someone

Involves formally declaring something is true on behalf of another.

subscribe for someone

Specifically relates to subscribing to a service for another person.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "sign for someone"?

It's appropriate to use "sign for someone" when you have been given permission to sign a document or receive a package on their behalf. Always confirm you have authorization to avoid issues.

What are some alternatives to "sign for someone"?

You can use alternatives like "sign on behalf of" or "authorize someone to sign" depending on the context.

Is it legal to "sign for someone"?

It can be legal to "sign for someone" if you have been granted the authority to do so, such as with a power of attorney or explicit consent. However, it's illegal to forge a signature without permission.

What's the difference between "sign on behalf of" and "sign for someone"?

The phrase "sign on behalf of" is a more formal way of saying "sign for someone", but they generally have the same meaning.