What Does “Devolve on sth” Mean?
“Devolve on sth” means to transfer responsibility, power, or duties from a higher authority to a lower one or to a particular person or group.
Introduction
The phrase “devolve on sth” is often used in formal contexts where responsibilities or tasks are passed down from one level to another. Understanding the “devolve on sth meaning” helps learners recognize how duties shift, especially in government, organizations, or families. This phrasal verb highlights the process of delegation or transfer, often implying that the new holder must take charge or deal with certain matters. It is useful for describing changes in authority and accountability in a clear and precise way.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: devolve on something
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: to pass responsibility or power to someone or something else
Structure (Grammar Rules)
- “Devolve on” is an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot place the object between “devolve” and “on.”
- Common pattern: devolve on + noun/pronoun
- Example: Responsibility devolves on the manager.
How to Use “Devolve on sth”?
Use “devolve on sth” when you want to express that responsibility or duties are passed down or assigned to a person, group, or entity. It often refers to formal or official contexts like government powers, organizational roles, or family obligations. The subject usually refers to the responsibility or task, and “on” introduces the person or group receiving it.
Examples
- After the CEO resigned, the decision-making power devolved on the board of directors.
- The responsibility for maintaining the equipment devolves on the maintenance team.
- In this company, the duty of training new staff devolves on senior employees.
- When the governor left office, many tasks devolved on the deputy governor.
- Legal obligations sometimes devolve on family members after a person passes away.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: The responsibility devolved to the committee.
Correct: The responsibility devolved on the committee. - Incorrect: Power devolved the mayor.
Correct: Power devolved on the mayor. - Incorrect: The duty devolves in the staff.
Correct: The duty devolves on the staff.
Differences / Synonyms
- Devolve on sth means to pass responsibility or power downwards to someone else.
- Delegate to sth/sb also means to assign tasks, but it usually refers to actively giving tasks rather than an automatic transfer.
- Fall on sth can mean responsibility happens to someone, but it is less formal and often implies something unwanted.
- Pass on to is more general and can refer to passing anything, not just responsibilities.
Common Collocations
- Responsibility devolves on
- Power devolves on
- Authority devolves on
- Duties devolve on
- Tasks devolve on
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of devolve on sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: Who is responsible for the new project now that the manager left?
Ben: The responsibility devolves on the assistant manager until they hire someone new.
Anna: That sounds like a big task for one person.
Ben: Yes, but it’s temporary. The company will assign more help soon.
Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct preposition:
The duty of organizing the event __________ the student council.
- a) devolves on
- b) devolves to
- c) devolves in
Answer: a) devolves on
FAQs
- Q: Can “devolve on” be used in informal speech?
A: It is mostly used in formal or official contexts, but it can be used in informal speech if appropriate. - Q: Is “devolve on” separable?
A: No, the object always comes after “on.” - Q: Can “devolve on” refer to power or only tasks?
A: It can refer to both power and tasks or responsibilities. - Q: What is the difference between “devolve on” and “delegate to”?
A: “Devolve on” is often automatic or official transfer, while “delegate to” is an active assignment. - Q: Can “devolve on” be followed by a pronoun?
A: Yes, for example, “The responsibility devolved on him.”
