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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
In behalf or on behalf?
which one is correct: in behalf or on behalf?
Top answer
Both are in use. Some argue that they are different. Please present the sentence in which you wish to use the phrase.
- Both are in use.
- Some argue that they are different.
- Please present the sentence in which you wish to use the phrase.
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3 Answers
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Both are in use. Some argue that they are different. Please present the sentence in which you wish to use the phrase.
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As I understand it:
I speak on behalf of Mr. Jones. = I am officially his representative (as in a court
case).
I speak in behalf of all the persecuted people in the world. = I am just one person
who is giving my opinion with the hope that it can somehow benefit the people for whom
I have sympathy.
I speak on behalf of Mr. Jones. = I am officially his representative (as in a court
case).
I speak in behalf of all the persecuted people in the world. = I am just one person
who is giving my opinion with the hope that it can somehow benefit the people for whom
I have sympathy.
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This question comes up fairly regularly. Before I saw it asked here, and despite the ten billion Google hits, I had never heard of "in behalf of". It sounded completely wrong (and still does, in fact). I wondered if there might be a BrE/AmE divide (I'm BrE), but I'm not sure that was ever convincingly established.
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