devolve

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "devolve" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the transfer of power, responsibility, or authority to a lower level or to a less advanced state. An example: "The committee's decision seemed to devolve into chaos." Alternative expressions include "deteriorate," "decline," and "regress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Wood said a future Plaid Welsh government would seek an agreement with the UK government to devolve the Welsh constitution – including the right to hold binding referendums – to the Welsh assembly.

The Guardian

Both reason and science devolve into Paul Ryan's first sight of an ultra-sound image, it seems.

The Guardian

Theresa Villiers, the Northern Ireland Secretary, said if the parties ratified the agreement brokered today legislation could be put through parliament in January to devolve corporation tax poweres to the region.

The Guardian

But he was also asked what he would do to devolve powers to the English regions, following the promises made to Scotland during the referendum campaign.

The Guardian

This joint statement committed the signatories to the introduction of a bill that would devolve substantial new powers to the Scottish parliament – described as home rule" by Gordon Brown.

The Guardian - Opinion

One of the Abbott government's election promises was for environmental "one-stop shops" which would devolve powers to the states to reduce the regulatory burden, although the legislation is stalled in the Senate.

The Guardian

Labour needs to make clearer exactly how it proposes to devolve power and how far it is prepared to go.

The Guardian

The SNP frets about "fixed odds betting terminals" – the computer roulette (and similar) games found in betting shops (p20): "the Scottish Government needs legislative powers to control the growth and impact of these machines, and we believe the UK government should devolve these powers in full.

The Guardian - Tech

The prime minister wants to move quickly to show he will stand by his word as he confirms the timetable to devolve greater powers, over taxation and welfare, to the Scottish parliament.

The Guardian

"We were not radical enough in what we were proposing to decentralise and to devolve away from London and to the regions".

The Guardian

Clegg appeared to blur that distinction by telling Marr that Scottish voters would be able to vote on more powers at the 2015 general election, stating: "You can't have that discussion on which powers you devolve until you first determine that Scotland remains part of the UK".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "devolve", be mindful of its potential negative connotation, particularly when referring to situations that are deteriorating. Use context to clarify whether you mean delegation or decline.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "devolving" responsibility automatically implies a negative outcome. Clearly state the intended effect to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "devolve" is as a verb. It is used to describe the act of transferring power, responsibility, or a duty to someone or something else, or to describe something degenerating or declining. This is supported by Ludwig and is observed across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "devolve" is frequently used in English to describe the transfer of power, duties, or responsibilities, or to indicate a process of decline. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly found in news, business, and scientific contexts. While the word can carry a negative connotation, particularly when describing deterioration, it is also appropriately used in positive contexts to describe delegation. To avoid ambiguity, always provide sufficient context to clarify the intended meaning. Consider using alternative terms like "delegate" or "transfer" for delegation, and "deteriorate" or "decline" for negative transformations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Delegate

Refers specifically to assigning tasks or responsibilities, a more direct and active transfer than "devolve".

Transfer

Indicates a general movement from one entity to another, less specific than "devolve" in terms of responsibility.

Hand over

Suggests a relinquishing of control or responsibility, similar to delegating but often implying a temporary transfer.

Pass down

Implies inheritance or succession, specifically referring to the passing of responsibility across generations or roles.

Assign

Focuses on allocating a specific task or duty, less broad than "devolve" which can imply a more systemic change.

Deteriorate

Highlights a negative decline or degradation, a specific sense of "devolve" when it means to worsen.

Degenerate

Implies a falling from a higher to a lower state, similar to "deteriorate" but often more severe.

Decline

Indicates a gradual decrease or weakening, similar to the deteriorating sense of "devolve".

Break down

Suggests a collapse or failure, emphasizing a loss of functionality or structure.

Fall apart

Implies a complete disintegration or fragmentation, a more extreme form of decline.

FAQs

How can I use "devolve" in a sentence?

You can use "devolve" to describe the transfer of power or responsibility, as in "The company decided to "devolve control" to regional managers". Alternatively, it can describe a situation deteriorating, such as "The discussion "devolved into an argument"".

What are some alternatives to "devolve" when referring to delegation?

When referring to delegation, you can use alternatives like "delegate", "transfer", or "assign". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

What can I say instead of "devolve" when describing a decline?

If you're describing a decline, consider using words like "deteriorate", "degenerate", or "decline". These options emphasize the negative aspect of the change.

Is it correct to use "devolve" in a positive context?

While "devolve" can sometimes imply a negative decline, it is perfectly correct to use it in a positive context when referring to the delegation of power or responsibility. For example, "The plan is to "devolve power to the local communities", empowering them to make decisions."