What does behalf mean?
Word: Behalf
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Behalf means the place or interest of another person. If you do something on behalf of someone, you do it for them or in their place.
How do you spell behalf?
Syllables: be - half
Tricky part: The l is silent, so students write behaf, or they hear an r that is not there and write beharf.
Watch out for: behaf, beharf
Memory tip: Think of a calf standing behind the fence. A calf has the same silent l.
Idioms and Phrases
- on behalf of: for someone, or as their representative. Example: "Mrs Rao thanked the visitors on behalf of all the teachers."
Behalf in a sentence
Example 1: The class monitor spoke to the principal on our behalf.
Example 2: On behalf of my family, I would like to thank you for the lovely gift.
Example 3: Dad filled in the form on my behalf because I was at camp.
Fun Fact
In Middle English, half could mean side, so on someone's behalf first meant on their side.
Practise the CREST Way
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
faelhb
a) behalf
b) behave
c) beheld
d) belief
Show answer
a) behalf. The jumble has an f but no v, d or i.
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
The captain spoke on bihalf of the whole team at assembly.
a) assembly
b) captain
c) bihalf
d) team
Show answer
c) bihalf. Before and between start with the same two letters.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
behaalf
a) b
b) a
c) h
d) l
Show answer
b) a. The vowel in the second beat is written once, however long it sounds.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) neighbour
b) although
c) behalf
d) recieve
Show answer
d) recieve. After c the e comes first: receive.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. The head girl accepted a cup on behalf of her school. Who won the cup?
a) everyone in the school
b) the sports teacher
c) the head girl herself
d) the guest of honour
Show answer
a) everyone in the school
2. If Arjun signs a card on behalf of his class, what is he doing?
a) signing against their wishes
b) signing only for himself
c) signing in a secret code
d) signing for everyone in it
Show answer
d) signing for everyone in it
