The Weltchek Weekly

I was scrolling through Instagram and came across a post from Kamala Harris’s office that started On behalf of the second gentleman and I, we would like to wish you… .

Ouch.

I had that same reaction when I opened a letter whose first line was On behalf of myself and the entire organization, we appreciate your contribution.

On behalf of means as a representative or agent of, so it doesn’t make sense to put myself, I or me after it. You wouldn’t say on behalf of myself, on behalf of me, or on behalf of I (the third example being even more wrong than the first two).

It’s puzzling when people start speeches saying things like On behalf of the team and me, we thank you for being here today, instead of On behalf of the team, we thank you for being here today.

The vice president should have ditched on behalf of altogether and written The second gentleman and I would like to wish you…, and the acknowledgment letter should have said On behalf of the entire organization, we appreciate your recent contribution.

And I would like to think I’ve written this post on behalf of usage experts everywhere!