What Does โDevolve on sbโ Mean?
โDevolve on sbโ means to transfer responsibility, power, or duty from one person or group to another, usually from a higher authority to a lower one.
Introduction
The phrase โdevolve on sbโ is often used to describe the process where tasks, responsibilities, or powers are passed down from one individual or organization to another. This usually happens in a formal or official context, such as government duties moving from a central authority to local authorities or when a manager passes responsibilities to a team member. Understanding the devolve on sb meaning helps learners use it correctly in situations involving delegation or transfer of duty. Itโs important to recognize that โdevolve on sbโ often implies that the person receiving the responsibility must now handle or manage it themselves.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: devolve on somebody
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: transfer responsibility or power to someone else
Structure (Grammar Rules)
โDevolve on sbโ is an inseparable phrasal verb, which means you cannot separate the verb and the particle. The object (sb) always follows the particle โon.โ
Pattern: devolve on + somebody
Example: The responsibility will devolve on the new manager.
How to Use โDevolve on sbโ?
Use โdevolve on sbโ when you want to explain that a duty, power, or responsibility is passed down to another person or group. It is commonly used in formal or professional contexts, especially in politics, business, or organizational settings. The phrase often implies that the person receiving the responsibility must take over and manage it effectively.
Examples
- The decision to handle the complaint will devolve on the customer service team.
- After the CEO resigned, the duties devolved on the deputy director.
- In many countries, powers devolve on regional governments to manage local affairs.
- The responsibility for training new staff devolved on the senior employees.
- When the project leader left, the management of the project devolved on the assistant.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: The task devolved to him.
Correct: The task devolved on him. - Incorrect: Responsibility devolved him.
Correct: Responsibility devolved on him. - Incorrect: They devolved the work on to the intern.
Correct: They devolved the work on the intern.
Differences / Synonyms
- Devolve on sb vs. Delegate to sb: โDelegateโ means to assign a task or responsibility, usually temporarily. โDevolve on sbโ often suggests a more permanent transfer of power or duty, often from a higher authority to a lower one.
- Devolve on sb vs. Pass on to sb: โPass onโ is more general and informal. โDevolve on sbโ is formal and typically used in official or organizational contexts.
Common Collocations
- Responsibility devolve on sb
- Power devolve on sb
- Duties devolve on sb
- Authority devolve on sb
- Tasks devolve on sb
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of devolve on sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: Who will take care of the new project now?
Mark: The responsibility will devolve on Sarah since she has more experience.
Anna: That makes sense. Iโm sure sheโll handle it well.
Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct form:
- The final decision __________ on the board of directors.
- a) devolves
- b) devolve
- c) devolved
- After the manager left, the responsibility __________ on his assistant.
- a) devolves
- b) devolved
- c) devolving
FAQs
- What does โdevolve on sbโ mean? It means to transfer responsibility or power to someone else.
- Is โdevolve on sbโ formal or informal? It is mostly used in formal or official contexts.
- Can I say โdevolve to sbโ instead of โdevolve on sbโ? No, the correct preposition is โon,โ not โto.โ
- Is โdevolve on sbโ separable? No, it is inseparable. The object comes after โon.โ
- What is a synonym for โdevolve on sbโ? A close synonym is โdelegate to sb,โ but โdevolve on sbโ implies a more permanent or official transfer.
