falls upon them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "falls upon them" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something, such as a responsibility or an event, affects or impacts a group of people. Example: "When the news of the layoffs broke, a heavy sense of uncertainty fell upon them."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Developed nations have better capacity for genetically engineering crops so the burden of research and development falls upon them.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Turning, now, to the country from which we have inherited most immediately our maritime laws and customs, we find that Malynes, the earliest English writer upon the law merchant, who wrote in 1622, says in his Lex Mercatoria (volume 1, c. 23), that 'mariners in a strange port should not leave the ship without the master's license, or fastening her with four ropes, or else the loss falls upon them.

Cornell University

The chip consists of 1,500 light-detecting electrodes, which stand in for the retina's own degenerated sensors by producing an electric current whenever light falls upon them.

BBC

In the process, the two attendants are killed when the emergency lights turn on and Banton's shadow falls upon them.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

At the moment the atomic bomb was dropped, the fence fell upon them.

The New Yorker

She had not baked jelly rolls in fifteen years, and the whole family fell upon them.

The New Yorker

He would fall upon them almost at curtain time, with brushes and palette in hand.

The New York Times - Arts

Whatever may fall upon them, there are still schemes and joys untried and en ticing.

The New York Times

Night, enclosed in small drops of rain, began to fall upon them.

The New Yorker

We only hope that bad karma will fall upon them but there's nothing else we can do now.

The New York Times

Once, when Morgan and Rodríguez were together, a military plane shut down its engines, so that they could not hear its approach until bombs were falling upon them.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "falls upon them" when describing a specific event, responsibility, or condition that directly affects a group of people. Ensure the subject clearly defines what is impacting them.

Common error

Avoid using "falls upon them" when referring to a singular subject. Instead, use "falls upon him/her/it" or rephrase the sentence for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "falls upon them" functions as a verb phrase, typically acting as the predicate of a sentence. It describes an action or event affecting a group. Ludwig examples show the phrase used to indicate responsibility, light affecting sensors, and even physical attacks.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

40%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "falls upon them" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe an event, responsibility, or condition affecting a group of people. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability in various contexts. While not extremely frequent, the phrase appears in academic, news, and wiki sources. Related phrases include "descends upon them" and "comes over them", offering alternatives depending on the desired nuance. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended subject and context for clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

descends upon them

Replaces "falls" with "descends", suggesting a more dramatic or forceful impact.

comes over them

Uses "comes over" instead of "falls upon", indicating a gradual or emotional effect.

impacts them

A more direct and neutral way of saying something affects them.

befalls them

Uses the more formal "befalls" in place of "falls upon", indicating something that happens to them.

overtakes them

Suggests something suddenly and powerfully affects them.

afflicts them

Replaces the phrase with a stronger term implying suffering or hardship.

settles upon them

Indicates a more permanent or lingering impact.

is visited upon them

Implies an external force or agency is responsible.

weighs heavily on them

Indicates a burden or oppressive effect.

is inflicted on them

Suggests a deliberate or malicious act.

FAQs

What does "falls upon them" mean?

The phrase "falls upon them" means that something, such as a responsibility, burden, or event, affects or impacts a group of people.

How can I use "falls upon them" in a sentence?

You can use "falls upon them" to describe situations where a group experiences something collectively, such as "When the crisis hit, the weight of responsibility "fell upon them"."

What are some alternatives to "falls upon them"?

Alternatives include phrases like "descends upon them", "comes over them", or "afflicts them", depending on the specific context and intended meaning.

Is "falls upon them" formal or informal?

"Falls upon them" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it often appears in more narrative or descriptive writing. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when deciding if it's appropriate.