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
Their investment has increased substantially over the past three years, going into three camps: how to make the process easier; how to make the process of donating more impactful and inspiring; and how to activate the community on behalf of individual and nonprofit organizers.
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Jack McCullough, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Cervantes was present to give Hernandez two certificates on behalf of the California state senate and delivered a speech recognizing the athlete's championships.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Strnad is a former union steward for Workers United and the founder and managing member of Drinks In The Seats, a political action committee that lobbies on behalf of in-seat beer vendors.
—Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 15 Aug. 2025
In a complaint filed this month in the Northern District of California, a Michigan mother, on behalf of her 10-year-old daughter, accuses Roblox Corporation of knowingly allowing predators to thrive on its platform.
—Christina Coulter, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025
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Jack McCullough, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Cervantes was present to give Hernandez two certificates on behalf of the California state senate and delivered a speech recognizing the athlete's championships.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Strnad is a former union steward for Workers United and the founder and managing member of Drinks In The Seats, a political action committee that lobbies on behalf of in-seat beer vendors.
—Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 15 Aug. 2025
In a complaint filed this month in the Northern District of California, a Michigan mother, on behalf of her 10-year-old daughter, accuses Roblox Corporation of knowingly allowing predators to thrive on its platform.
—Christina Coulter, People.com, 15 Aug. 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 19 Aug. 2025.
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