incumbent upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incumbent upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a responsibility or duty that one is expected to fulfill, particularly one that has been imposed on them. For example: It is incumbent upon the committee members to ensure the safety of all attendees.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 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

It's "incumbent upon us to look at that," Engel said.

The New Yorker

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

The New York Times

"It's incumbent upon Google to start telling a story that makes sense.

The New York Times - Tech

It is incumbent upon the state to provide education that encourages social cohesion.

Independent

It was incumbent upon her to live fully; to give and to receive".

The New York Times - Books

Is it incumbent upon a host to do all the cleanup?

The New York Times

It is incumbent upon Beijing to help push Pyongyang in that direction.

The New York Times

Therefore, it's incumbent upon adults to figure out best ways to encourage peers to intervene.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone of your writing. "Incumbent upon" is formal; less formal alternatives may be more suitable for casual contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "incumbent upon" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "it's up to" or "it's their job" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incumbent upon" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a duty or responsibility. Ludwig shows its use in assigning obligations across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

22%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "incumbent upon" signifies a formal and significant duty or responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its frequent use in news, academic, and formal business contexts. When writing, remember that while "incumbent upon" is a valid and powerful phrase, it is also quite formal. In more casual contexts, consider using phrases like "responsible for" or "it's up to". It's best to avoid the phrase in very informal contexts as it can sound out of place. Consider this analysis when deciding if "incumbent upon" is the right choice for your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the responsibility of

This alternative directly states the obligation rests with someone.

duty bound to

This option emphasizes a moral or ethical compulsion to act.

obligatory for

This alternative emphasizes the binding nature of the duty, focusing on what is required.

obliged to

This highlights the feeling of being morally or legally bound to do something.

required of

This phrase highlights the external demand or expectation placed on someone.

falls upon

This alternative expresses where the duty or task naturally lies.

necessary for

This option stresses the essential nature of the action, indicating it's indispensable.

essential that

This alternative stresses the critical importance of a particular action.

behooves someone to

This is a more formal way of saying it is appropriate or suitable for someone to do something.

it is up to

This phrase places the onus or decision-making power on a specific individual or group.

FAQs

How do you use "incumbent upon" in a sentence?

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

What's a simpler way to say "incumbent upon"?

You can use phrases like "responsible for", "it is up to", or "duty bound to" as alternatives to "incumbent upon" depending on the context.

Is "incumbent on" grammatically correct?

While "incumbent upon" is more common and generally preferred in formal writing, "incumbent on" is also sometimes used, though less frequently. "Incumbent upon" suggests a stronger sense of duty.

What's the difference between "incumbent upon" and "obligated to"?

"Incumbent upon" often implies a formal or official duty, whereas "obligated to" can refer to moral, legal, or contractual obligations. The former carries a stronger connotation of responsibility.