onus is on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "onus is on" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is used to describe someone or something that has a responsibility to take action in a given situation. Example: The onus is on the government to ensure that all citizens have access to quality healthcare.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"The onus is on him.

The New York Times - Sports

The onus is on them.

The New Yorker

The onus is on Europe to respond.

The Guardian

"The onus is on us," he said.

The New York Times

But the onus is on the EU.

The Economist

The onus is on you.

The New York Times

So the onus is on us.

The Guardian

Now the onus is on us.

The New York Times - Arts

"The onus is on the district attorney.

The New York Times

The onus is on the government: what should be secret?

The New York Times - Magazine

So the responsibility, the onus, is on Assad.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "onus is on" to clearly and directly assign responsibility for a specific action or outcome. This phrasing is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "onus is on" when the responsibility is shared or unclear. Ensure that the subject you are assigning responsibility to has the authority and capacity to fulfill the obligation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "onus is on" functions primarily to assign responsibility or obligation to a specific entity. Ludwig's examples clearly illustrate this function across various contexts, indicating that the responsibility for a particular action or outcome rests with the mentioned party. It's a direct way of pointing out who needs to take action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "onus is on" is a frequently used phrase that effectively assigns responsibility. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and serves to clearly place a demand on someone to act. The phrase is most commonly found in news and business contexts, indicating a neutral to professional register. While there are many alternative phrases, such as "responsibility lies with" or "it is up to", the phrase "onus is on" remains a direct and clear way to express where a responsibility lies. When writing, be sure that the responsibility you assign is both clear and feasible for the entity in question.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

responsibility lies with

Replaces "onus" with "responsibility" and uses "lies with" instead of "is on."

burden rests on

Substitutes "onus" with "burden" and employs "rests on" instead of "is on," emphasizing the weight of the responsibility.

duty falls upon

Replaces "onus" with "duty" and uses "falls upon" to highlight the obligation.

it is up to

Offers a more informal alternative, replacing "onus" with "it" and restructuring the sentence.

accountability rests with

Substitutes "onus" with "accountability" focusing on the aspect of being answerable.

the task is for

Replaces "onus" with "task," shifting the focus to a specific job or assignment.

the obligation is with

Emphasizes the binding nature of the responsibility.

it's their responsibility

A more direct and less formal way of expressing the same idea.

the ball is in their court

An idiomatic expression indicating that it is someone else's turn to act.

they are in charge of

Focuses on the authority and control aspect of the responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "onus is on" in a sentence?

Use "onus is on" to indicate that someone has a duty or responsibility to do something. For example, "The "onus is on" the company to ensure the safety of its employees."

What's a less formal alternative to "onus is on"?

Alternatives include "it is up to" or "it's their responsibility", which are more suitable for casual conversations.

What is the difference between "onus is on" and "responsibility lies with"?

While similar, "onus is on" emphasizes a burden or duty, whereas "responsibility lies with" simply states where the accountability resides. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "onus is on" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "onus is on" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in legal, business, or academic contexts. It clearly and concisely assigns responsibility.