on behalf of

English translation: I am writing on behalf of Mr. Watson

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:on behalf of
Selected answer:I am writing on behalf of Mr. Watson

19:47 Feb 11, 2015
    The asker opted for community grading. The question was closed on 2015-02-15 05:54:09 based on peer agreement (or, if there were too few peer comments, asker preference.)


English language (monolingual) [Non-PRO]
Bus/Financial - Management / formal email
English term or phrase: on behalf of
Dear all,

I'm a bit mixed up with W.O (word order). I have to edit a letter and came across
this sentence.

I am writing in reference to the purchase of the house in Costa del Sol on behalf of Mr. Watson.

my version

I am writing on behalf of Mr. Watson, in reference to the purchase of the house in Costa del Sol.


Thank you very much
nhorma
Local time: 11:21
I am writing on behalf of Mr. Watson
Explanation:
As has already been pointed out at great length, the crux of the matter here is what the originally intended meaning is: 'writing on behalf of' and 'purchase on behalf of'.

In your discussion entry, you have clarified that it is the first of those two meanings that was intended — in which case, the second version, your edit, is correct, and the original was incorrect.

It's just important to appreciate that these are not interchangeable with identical meanings — each would be correct for the respective different meanings.

As a side issue, one of my pet hates is 'in reference to' — I always feel 'with reference to' reads better, or as Nataliya suggested, simply 'regarding'.

Do also please note that, unless 'Costa del Sol' is the name of an actual town, we would more normally say 'on the Costa del Sol'.
Selected response from:

Tony M
France
Local time: 11:21
Grading comment
Thank you very much for your help. I really apologize for not being precise in my query.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +7I am writing on behalf of Mr. Watson
Tony M
4regarding the purchase
Nataliya Dubnevych


Discussion entries: 6





  

Answers


1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
regarding the purchase


Explanation:
I am writing on behalf of Mr. Watson regarding the purchase of the house in Costa del Sol. - This would be a bit shorter and less heavy. Try!

Nataliya Dubnevych
Ukraine
Local time: 12:21
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in UkrainianUkrainian, Native in RussianRussian

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Yvonne Gallagher: already answered correctly (see disc.)
34 mins

disagree  Jennifer Levey: There's no way that "regarding the purchase" can be a valid rendering of "on behalf of".
1 hr
  -> I just shortened the author's version to sound shorter. For sure these are different phrases!

neutral  Tony M: Whilst not disagreeing with your suggestion, it isn't actually answering Asker's question!
7 hrs

agree  Charlesp
18 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

8 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +7
writing on behalf of
I am writing on behalf of Mr. Watson


Explanation:
As has already been pointed out at great length, the crux of the matter here is what the originally intended meaning is: 'writing on behalf of' and 'purchase on behalf of'.

In your discussion entry, you have clarified that it is the first of those two meanings that was intended — in which case, the second version, your edit, is correct, and the original was incorrect.

It's just important to appreciate that these are not interchangeable with identical meanings — each would be correct for the respective different meanings.

As a side issue, one of my pet hates is 'in reference to' — I always feel 'with reference to' reads better, or as Nataliya suggested, simply 'regarding'.

Do also please note that, unless 'Costa del Sol' is the name of an actual town, we would more normally say 'on the Costa del Sol'.

Tony M
France
Local time: 11:21
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Thank you very much for your help. I really apologize for not being precise in my query.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Alaa AHMED
1 hr
  -> Thanks, Alaa!

agree  B D Finch: Also agree with you over your pet hate.
3 hrs
  -> Thanks, B! :-)

agree  AllegroTrans
4 hrs
  -> Thanks, C!

agree  Yvonne Gallagher
5 hrs
  -> Thanks, G!

agree  magdadh: Beautiful explained, and in a great context.
8 hrs
  -> Thnaks, Magdadh!

agree  Charlesp
10 hrs
  -> Thanks, Charles! You're a gent :-)

agree  acetran
4 days
  -> Thanks, Acetran!
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