behalf

behalf — 名詞

1. speaking, acting, or doing something as the official representative of another p

1.名詞B2
釋義

代表;代理

以他人名義或身分行事

speaking, acting, or doing something as the official representative of another person or group, with their authority — for example, a lawyer arguing in court for a client, or an assistant signing a letter when the manager is away.

例句

Tariq accepted the award on behalf of his grandfather, who was too ill to travel.

Tariq 代表他身體不適、無法出席的祖父領取了這個獎。

fixed phrase: on behalf of + person

The lawyer signed the contract on behalf of the company.

律師代表公司簽署了這份合約。

on behalf of + organization

同義詞

文法句型

on behalf of + person/group

on someone's behalf

用法筆記

Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'on behalf of [someone]' or 'on someone's behalf'. The noun is rarely used by itself outside these phrases. American English sometimes uses 'in behalf of' for sense 2 (benefit), but 'on behalf of' is now standard for both meanings in most modern writing.

常見錯誤

I am writing in behalf of the manager.
I am writing on behalf of the manager.
💡when you mean 'as a representative', use 'on behalf of', not 'in behalf of'.
On behalf the team, thank you.
On behalf of the team, thank you.
💡you must include 'of' after 'behalf'.

2. with the goal of helping, supporting, or protecting someone, or for their benefi

2.名詞B2
釋義

為了;為利益

為了某人的好處或著想

with the goal of helping, supporting, or protecting someone, or for their benefit — for example, a parent fighting the school board to get extra support for their child, or campaigners working to free a prisoner.

例句

Mrs. Ilya wrote to the principal on behalf of her son, who was being bullied at school.

Ilya 太太為了在學校受到霸凌的兒子,寫信給校長。

for someone's benefit / protection

Volunteers raised over fifty thousand dollars on behalf of the flood victims.

志工們為了水災災民募得了超過五萬美元。

fundraising / charitable cause

同義詞
反義詞
  • against

    opposite when the action helps vs. opposes someone

文法句型

on behalf of + person/cause

on someone's behalf

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 by intent: sense 2 is about helping or supporting someone, not formally representing them. If you can replace the phrase with 'for the benefit of' or 'in support of', this is sense 2. Older American writing uses 'in behalf of' for this meaning, but most modern style guides accept 'on behalf of' for both senses.

常見錯誤

She suffered behalf of her family.
She suffered on behalf of her family.
💡'behalf' must be inside the phrase 'on behalf of' or 'on someone's behalf'.
Don't go to any trouble in my behalf.
Don't go to any trouble on my behalf.
💡modern usage prefers 'on' even for the benefit meaning.