A while ago I was poised to edit a cousin’s speech and I was confronted with an expression that often times troubles writers and speakers in English.
Which one is correct: “in behalf of” or “on behalf of”?
Without batting an eyelash, my pen went for “o” instead of an “i”. It was spontaneous for me to go for “on behalf of” although I have heard many linguistic authorities and prominent personalities who would use otherwise.
With a quirk, I remembered my esteemed professor in UP who would passionately use her red pen to correct flagrant errors in grammar. One time, I caught her using the expression “in behalf of” and I thought I had to do my research to find out the difference between the two.
Usage:
“On behalf of” is to speak or act for a person or an entity as with the President’s line: I speak on behalf of the Filipino people.
“In behalf of” is to speak in the interest of someone / a group as from the wife of a fallen SAF:
I speak in behalf of the cause of the Fallen 44.
The difference in the two seem quite slim thus, the confusion. With further research I found out that the latter is deemed already dated. “In behalf of” is not as popularly used as “on behalf of” anymore. However, there are grammar books now that would suggest the two are interchangeable.
So, take your pick. Either of the two is grammatically acceptable.
See: Garner’s American Usage
Which one is correct: “in behalf of” or “on behalf of”?
Without batting an eyelash, my pen went for “o” instead of an “i”. It was spontaneous for me to go for “on behalf of” although I have heard many linguistic authorities and prominent personalities who would use otherwise.
With a quirk, I remembered my esteemed professor in UP who would passionately use her red pen to correct flagrant errors in grammar. One time, I caught her using the expression “in behalf of” and I thought I had to do my research to find out the difference between the two.
Usage:
“On behalf of” is to speak or act for a person or an entity as with the President’s line: I speak on behalf of the Filipino people.
“In behalf of” is to speak in the interest of someone / a group as from the wife of a fallen SAF:
I speak in behalf of the cause of the Fallen 44.
The difference in the two seem quite slim thus, the confusion. With further research I found out that the latter is deemed already dated. “In behalf of” is not as popularly used as “on behalf of” anymore. However, there are grammar books now that would suggest the two are interchangeable.
So, take your pick. Either of the two is grammatically acceptable.
See: Garner’s American Usage