the onus on

USAGE SUMMARY

"the onus on" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a burden, responsibility, or obligation that rests upon someone. For example, "The onus is on the government to make sure all of its citizens have access to education."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Benign neglect puts the onus on the teenagers.

The New York Times

But Mr. Romney kept the onus on Mr. Obama.

The New York Times

We could feel the onus on our shoulders.

The New York Times

Governments place the onus on their citizens to volunteer organs.

The Economist

These steps would place the onus on Iran.

The New York Times

Which puts the onus on us, their enablers.

The New York Times

That puts the onus on customers to dicker.

The New York Times

But Dr. Swanson put the onus on local government.

The New York Times

Moreover, we put the onus on our Arab allies.

The New York Times

The central bank's stance leaves the onus on the government.

The New York Times

So it's keeping the onus on Fox News.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the onus on", ensure the sentence structure is clear about who bears the responsibility. Misplaced or ambiguous wording can shift the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "the onus on" when the responsibility is shared or unclear. Instead, use phrases like "shared responsibility" or "joint effort" to reflect a collaborative approach.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the onus on" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used to assign responsibility, highlight an obligation, or place a burden on a specific entity. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the onus on" is a prepositional phrase used to clearly indicate where responsibility or obligation lies. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across diverse written contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media sources, suggesting a common usage in public discourse. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, ensure its appropriate use to avoid ambiguity and misattribution of responsibility. Related phrases like "the responsibility rests with" or "the obligation falls to" can provide alternative ways to express similar concepts. Remember that the clarity and precision of your sentences will improve communication effectiveness when using the expression "the onus on".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the responsibility rests with

This alternative explicitly states where the responsibility lies.

the obligation falls to

This phrase emphasizes the mandatory nature of the obligation.

the duty lies with

This alternative highlights the moral or legal imperative involved.

the burden is placed upon

This phrase emphasizes the weight or difficulty of the responsibility.

responsibility is assigned to

This option denotes a formal allocation of responsibility.

the liability lies with

Focuses on legal or financial accountability.

the accountability rests on

This alternative emphasizes the expectation of being held answerable.

it is up to

This is a more casual way of saying someone is responsible.

the task falls to

This option emphasizes the specific work that needs to be done.

the mandate is given to

Highlights a formal authorization or instruction.

FAQs

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

You can use "the onus on" to show where responsibility lies. For example, "The onus is on the consumer to read the terms and conditions carefully."

What's another way to say "the onus on"?

Alternatives to "the onus on" include phrases like "the responsibility rests with", "the obligation falls to", or "the burden is placed upon".

Is it formal to say "the onus on"?

Yes, "the onus on" is generally considered a formal expression. In more casual contexts, you might prefer alternatives like "it is up to".

Can "the onus on" be used to assign blame?

Yes, "the onus on" can be used to indicate where blame is directed. For example, "The onus is on the driver for causing the accident."