devolve responsibilities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devolve responsibilities" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the transfer or delegation of duties or tasks from one person or group to another, often in a hierarchical context. Example: "The management decided to devolve responsibilities to the team leaders to empower them and improve decision-making at the local level."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The bill, part of the "northern powerhouse" drive to devolve responsibilities to major cities, has become the vehicle for devolving £6bn of health and care spending to Greater Manchester.

The Guardian

A close look at conservative policies to reduce government and devolve responsibilities on the states shows, however, that they have almost nothing to do with the Toffleresque logic of "demassification". The Contract with America does not actually pursue a consistent philosophy of devolution at all.

Princeton University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

So devolve responsibility for the pursuit of fine-grained opportunities to your 200-plus top leaders.

Harvard Business Review

There are good reasons to devolve responsibility to governments to deliver on this vital agenda.

The Guardian - Opinion

The answer is not to devolve responsibility to a conglomeration of states and private entrepreneurs.

The New York Times

The classic mistake, he says, is to devolve responsibility to an HR department.

The Guardian

This year's budget contains some quite radical proposals, mainly to devolve responsibility for the programme to the states.

The Economist

Large companies need to devolve responsibility for the pursuit of fine-grained opportunities to its 200-plus top leaders.

Harvard Business Review

You can't devolve responsibility for the future of ballet to those who don't speak its language.

The Guardian

Most countries devolve responsibility for regulating the industry to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), says Tristan Smith, shipping and climate change expert at University College London.

The Guardian

The boom began in 1993, when parking was decriminalised by the Conservative government - a move that allowed the police to devolve responsibility for enforcement to local authorities.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "devolve responsibilities", clearly define the scope of the duties being transferred and the level of autonomy granted to the receiving party.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring that the responsibilities being devolved do not overlap with existing roles or create conflicts of interest within the organization.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devolve responsibilities" functions primarily as a verb phrase used to describe the act of transferring or delegating duties from one entity to another. As supported by Ludwig, this phrase is a grammatically correct and usable expression in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "devolve responsibilities" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe the act of transferring or delegating duties, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is versatile, appearing in various contexts, particularly in news, academic writing, and business communication. The semantic alternatives include "delegate authority", "assign duties", and "transfer responsibilities". When using this phrase, ensure clarity in defining the scope and autonomy of the devolved duties to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

transfer responsibilities

Highlights the act of moving duties from one entity to another.

delegate authority

Focuses more on the delegation of power or decision-making alongside duties.

decentralize duties

Focuses on distributing duties away from a central authority.

assign duties

Implies a more direct and formal allocation of specific tasks.

hand over authority

Suggests a complete relinquishing of control and duties to another party.

cede control

Emphasizes the act of giving up control over certain duties or areas.

outsource tasks

Specifically refers to contracting out tasks to external parties.

subcontract duties

Involves hiring another party to perform specific parts of a larger task.

farm out responsibilities

Suggests a broader delegation of responsibilities, often to multiple entities.

pass down duties

Implies a hierarchical transfer of duties, often from senior to junior members.

FAQs

How can I use "devolve responsibilities" in a sentence?

You can use "devolve responsibilities" to describe the act of delegating tasks or duties to a lower level or another party. For example: "The company decided to "devolve responsibilities" to regional managers to improve decision-making at the local level."

What are some alternatives to "devolve responsibilities"?

Some alternatives to "devolve responsibilities" include "delegate authority", "assign duties", or "transfer responsibilities".

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "devolve responsibilities"?

"Devolve responsibilities" is appropriate in contexts where authority and duties are being delegated or transferred, often from a central or higher level to a more local or lower level. This can occur in organizational, governmental, or even personal settings.

What is the difference between "devolve responsibilities" and "delegate responsibilities"?

While similar, "devolve responsibilities" often implies a more significant transfer of power and autonomy, whereas "delegate responsibilities" might involve a more limited or temporary assignment of tasks.