Definition

Adjective: Imposing a moral or legal obligation or duty; necessary as a responsibility. This phrase describes something that is required or obligatory for a specific person or group due to their position, a promise, or a moral principle.

Usage

The phrase "incumbent on/upon [someone]" is used to state that a particular person has a clear duty or responsibility to do something. It is a formal expression. * The structure is: It is incumbent on/upon [person/group] to [do something]. * It often refers to duties arising from one's office, role, or a specific situation.

Examples

• It is incumbent on all citizens to obey the law.
• As the team leader, it was incumbent upon her to resolve the conflict.
• It is incumbent on the government to protect the rights of its people.
• Having made the promise, he felt it was incumbent on him to see it through.

Advanced Usage

• The phrase can be used with different forms of the verb "to be" (is, was, will be) and with modal verbs to indicate time or certainty.
  • It will be incumbent on the next administration to address this issue.
  • It may be incumbent on us to reconsider our strategy.
• While "incumbent on" and "incumbent upon" are interchangeable, "upon" can sound slightly more formal.

Variants and Related Words

• Incumbent (Adjective): Necessary as a duty or responsibility (often followed by "on/upon").
  • She felt it was incumbent to speak out.
• Incumbent (Noun): The current holder of an office or post.
  • The incumbent mayor is running for re-election. (This is a different, though related, meaning.)

Synonyms

• Obligatory: Required by a rule, law, or moral principle.
• Mandatory: Required by law or rules; compulsory.
• Binding: Creating a legal or moral obligation that must be obeyed.
• Required: Officially demanded or necessary.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Duty-bound: Having a moral or legal obligation.
  • He was duty-bound to report the incident.
• Behoove (Formal): It is right, necessary, or beneficial for someone to do something.
  • It behooves you to be prepared.

Adjective

1. morally binding or necessary
   • it is incumbent on me to attend