speaking on behalf of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "speaking on behalf of" is correct and widely used in written English.
You can use it when you are representing another person, group, organization, or cause. For example: "Speaking on behalf of all the mothers in this neighborhood, I urge the city council to reconsider this new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The UK Government is only speaking on behalf of the net contributors and no one else.

EU Parlament

I'm speaking on behalf of myself.

The New York Times

You cannot have men speaking on behalf of women.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Prosper Kouadio, speaking on behalf of the rebels.

The New York Times

Zack Test was speaking on behalf of Heathrow Express.

The Guardian - Sport

I'm speaking on behalf of other ladies too, of course.

The Guardian - Music

We just didn't want people to think he was speaking on behalf of the probation department".

The New York Times

The officer made it clear that he was speaking on behalf of Kiyani himself.

The New Yorker

I said, 'I am speaking on behalf of my Prime Minister.

The New Yorker

Other groups seek to elicit sympathy by speaking on behalf of tribal forest-dwellers.

The Economist

dude's biggest delusion is that he thinks he speaking on behalf of others.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "speaking on behalf of", ensure you clearly identify who or what you are representing to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "speaking on behalf of" if you haven't been explicitly authorized to represent the individual or group you're claiming to represent. Ensure you have the proper authorization or clarify that you are expressing a personal opinion that aligns with, but isn't necessarily endorsed by, the group.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "speaking on behalf of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, typically indicating agency or representation. Ludwig provides many examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "speaking on behalf of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that one is representing the views or interests of another entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is correct, and its usage is very common across various contexts, particularly in news media and business settings. It's crucial to ensure you have the authority to represent the entity you claim to speak for and to clearly identify who or what you are representing. While alternatives exist, such as "representing" or "acting as spokesperson for", "speaking on behalf of" remains a clear and direct way to convey the origin and intent of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a representative of

Formally indicates the role of representing another entity.

representing

Focuses on the act of formally standing in for someone.

acting as spokesperson for

Emphasizes the role of delivering messages for another party.

speaking as an agent of

Emphasizes the formal capacity as an official representative.

advocating for

Highlights the act of actively supporting or pleading a cause.

in the name of

Suggests authority or endorsement from another party.

authorized to speak for

Implies explicit permission or delegation to communicate on behalf of someone.

presenting the views of

Focuses on conveying the opinions of a group or individual.

voicing the concerns of

Highlights the expression of anxieties or worries on behalf of others.

fronting for

Informal way to suggest acting as a public face or shield for someone, potentially with hidden motives.

FAQs

How can I use "speaking on behalf of" in a sentence?

You can use "speaking on behalf of" to indicate that you are expressing the views or representing the interests of a particular person, group, or organization. For example, "Speaking on behalf of the students, I would like to thank the faculty."

What's the difference between "speaking on behalf of" and "representing"?

While both phrases indicate representation, "speaking on behalf of" specifically refers to the act of voicing opinions or information for someone else. "Representing" can encompass a broader range of actions, including legal or official representation.

What can I say instead of "speaking on behalf of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "representing", "acting as spokesperson for", or "advocating for".

When is it inappropriate to use "speaking on behalf of"?

It's inappropriate to use "speaking on behalf of" if you have not been authorized to represent the views of the person or group you are claiming to represent. Doing so can be misleading or misrepresent their actual opinions.