What Does “Devolve upon sth” Mean?
“Devolve upon sth” means to transfer responsibility, power, or duties from one person or group to another, often to a lower level or different party.
Introduction
The phrase “devolve upon sth” is commonly used in formal English to describe the process where tasks, responsibilities, or authority are passed down or assigned to someone or something else. It often appears in legal, organizational, or governmental contexts. Understanding the devolve upon sth meaning helps learners grasp how power or duties shift within a system. For example, when a government hands more power to local authorities, the responsibility devolves upon them. This phrase highlights the movement of obligations, making it essential for learners who want to use precise language in business or official environments.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: devolve upon sth (devolve upon something)
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2–C1
- Short meaning: to transfer responsibility or power to someone or something else
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Devolve upon sth” is an inseparable phrasal verb, meaning you cannot place the object between “devolve” and “upon.” The structure is always:
- devolve + upon + object
Examples of correct patterns:
- The responsibility devolves upon the manager.
- Power devolves upon the local government.
How to Use “Devolve upon sth”?
Use “devolve upon sth” when you want to explain that duties, rights, or powers are being passed down to another party. It is often used in formal or official contexts, especially when discussing legal authority or organizational roles. The phrase emphasizes the downward or lateral transfer of responsibility.
It is commonly followed by a noun representing a person, group, or entity receiving the responsibility.
Examples
- The task of maintaining the records devolves upon the secretary.
- When the CEO retires, the leadership devolves upon the board of directors.
- In a federation, many powers devolve upon the regional governments.
- The responsibility for safety measures devolves upon the site manager.
- As the company expands, more duties devolve upon middle management.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: The responsibility devolves the manager upon.
Correct: The responsibility devolves upon the manager. - Incorrect: Power devolves upon to the local council.
Correct: Power devolves upon the local council. - Incorrect: The duty devolves upon him quickly.
Correct: The duty devolves upon him.
Differences / Synonyms
Devolve upon sth is similar to “pass on to,” “delegate to,” or “assign to,” but it specifically suggests a formal or official transfer, often downward in hierarchy.
- Pass on to: General and informal, can be used for any transfer of responsibility or objects.
- Delegate to: Implies giving tasks or authority temporarily, often with supervision.
- Assign to: Means officially giving a task or role, but without the nuance of power transfer implied by “devolve upon.”
Unlike “delegate,” “devolve upon” often suggests a permanent or structural transfer of responsibilities.
Common Collocations
- Responsibility devolves upon
- Power devolves upon
- Duties devolve upon
- Authority devolves upon
- Tasks devolve upon
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of devolve upon sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: Who will handle the project after the manager leaves?
Ben: The responsibility will devolve upon the team leader.
Anna: So, the team leader takes full charge now?
Ben: Exactly. The authority devolves upon her officially.
Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct phrase:
The duty of maintaining records ________ the assistant manager.
- a) devolves upon
- b) devolves to
- c) delegates upon
- d) passes upon
FAQs
- Q: Is “devolve upon” formal or informal?
A: It is formal and commonly used in official contexts. - Q: Can I separate “devolve” and “upon”?
A: No, “devolve upon” is inseparable. - Q: What types of responsibilities usually devolve upon someone?
A: Legal duties, authority, power, or tasks often devolve upon someone. - Q: Is “devolve upon” used only for people?
A: Mostly for people or groups but can refer to organizations or bodies. - Q: What is a synonym for “devolve upon”?
A: “Pass on to” or “assign to,” but less formal.
