On Behalf of vs. in Behalf of: Usage Guide
A body of opinion favors in with the "interest, benefit" sense of behalf and on with the "support, defense" sense. This distinction has been observed by some writers but overall has never had a sound basis in actual usage. In current British use, on behalf (of) has replaced in behalf (of); both are still used in American English, but the distinction is frequently not observed.
Examples of behalf in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
President Trump’s administration weighed in on behalf of Catholic Charities.
—
Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
According to a recent Intelligencer profile, around 22,000 volunteers and counting have canvassed on behalf of Zohran for NYC, as Mamdani challenges to win the Democratic nomination.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 5 June 2025
The investigation, which Seattle hired outside counsel to conduct, concluded with no evidence of wrongdoing on the Storm’s behalf.
—Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 5 June 2025
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, June 3, the Little Elm Police Department shared photos of its officers retrieving a snake from a firehouse on behalf of the Little Elm Fire Department.
—David Chiu, People.com, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for behalf
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
According to a recent Intelligencer profile, around 22,000 volunteers and counting have canvassed on behalf of Zohran for NYC, as Mamdani challenges to win the Democratic nomination.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 5 June 2025
The investigation, which Seattle hired outside counsel to conduct, concluded with no evidence of wrongdoing on the Storm’s behalf.
—Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 5 June 2025
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, June 3, the Little Elm Police Department shared photos of its officers retrieving a snake from a firehouse on behalf of the Little Elm Fire Department.
—David Chiu, People.com, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for behalf
Cite this Entry
“Behalf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behalf. Accessed 8 Jun. 2025.
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