be incumbent upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be incumbent upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a responsibility or duty falls on someone. Example: "It is incumbent upon the manager to ensure that all team members are aware of the new policies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

There was a time when it seemed to be incumbent upon musicians to cause offence.

The Guardian - Music

"It will be incumbent upon all countries that have deep interests with the United States to ensure that they press upon the administration their concerns, their interests.

The Guardian

"It is going to be incumbent upon Congress to make sure they don't overspend," Mr. Bush told reporters today in Texas.

The New York Times

The armed forces had given the President forty-eight hours to respond to the protesters' demands, and if he didn't, they said, "it will be incumbent upon us... to announce a road map for the future".

The New Yorker

It seemed to me then, and even more forcefully now, that if a person was deemed fit for work by a government agency, then it should be incumbent upon that agency to find that person a suitable job.

The Guardian

Federal judges are the primary guardians of Americans' constitutional rights, and it will now be incumbent upon senators to guard against efforts to pack the court system with ideologues intent on eroding these rights.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

So it's incumbent upon us to be good citizens".

The New York Times

It's incumbent upon us to work things out".

The New York Times

It is incumbent upon downloaders to remember what they downloaded.

The New York Times - Tech

I think it's incumbent upon us not to be worried about those considerations.

The New York Times

As the hosts, it is incumbent upon you to pay for the tickets.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be incumbent upon", ensure the subject clearly identifies who holds the responsibility. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "be incumbent upon" when the responsibility is vague or shared. Ensure the sentence clearly indicates who specifically bears the duty; otherwise, consider rephrasing to clarify accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be incumbent upon" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a duty or obligation. Ludwig examples show it assigning responsibility to individuals, organizations, or governments. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "be incumbent upon" is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be incumbent upon" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone has a duty or obligation. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is suitable for use in formal writing and speech. This phrase appears frequently in news, scientific, and business contexts, assigning responsibility clearly. When using "be incumbent upon", ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "be obligated to" or "have a duty to" to fit the specific context. Remember that while it carries a formal tone, its clarity is key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be obligated to

Uses "obligated" instead of "incumbent", suggesting a binding requirement.

be required to

Emphasizes a necessity or formal requirement.

have a duty to

Directly states the existence of a responsibility.

be responsible for

Focuses on accountability for a specific task or outcome.

be liable for

Implies legal or financial responsibility.

be bound to

Suggests a commitment or promise to do something.

be compelled to

Highlights an external force or pressure causing the obligation.

fall to

Indicates that a task or responsibility is assigned to someone.

be up to

Suggests that someone has the power or authority to make a decision or take action.

should do

Offers a softer, less forceful suggestion of obligation.

FAQs

How can I use "be incumbent upon" in a sentence?

Use "be incumbent upon" to indicate a duty or obligation. For example, "It is incumbent upon the government to provide essential services."

What are some alternatives to "be incumbent upon"?

Alternatives include "be obligated to", "be required to", or "have a duty to", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "be incumbent upon" or "is the responsibility of"?

"Be incumbent upon" sounds more formal and emphasizes a moral or ethical duty. "Is the responsibility of" is more direct and straightforward. The best choice depends on the context and desired tone.

What's the difference between "be incumbent upon" and "be responsible for"?

"Be incumbent upon" emphasizes a duty or obligation, whereas "be responsible for" focuses on accountability for specific actions or outcomes. The former suggests a broader obligation, while the latter implies a specific task.