incumbent:此处为形容词,意为“必须履行的;应尽的”(≠名词“现任者”,如"the incumbent president"是“现任总统”);
upon/on:介词,可互换,无语义差别;
逻辑关系:通常用形式主语"it"指代后面的不定式(真正主语),突出“责任的必然性”。
(it作形式主语,不定式"to do sth."是真正主语,强调“做某事是某人的责任”)
It is incumbent upon parents to provide for their children.
(父母有责任抚养孩子。)
As a citizen, it is incumbent on you to obey the law.
(作为公民,你有义务遵守法律。)
It is incumbent upon the company to ensure workplace safety.
(公司有责任确保工作场所安全。)
(直接用“责任/任务”作主语,强调“某事是某人的职责”)
The responsibility to report safety hazards is incumbent upon all employees.
(报告安全隐患是所有员工的责任。)
The duty to protect the environment is incumbent on every nation.
(保护环境是每个国家的义务。)
正式语境:常用于法律、道德、职责等严肃场合(口语中更常用"have a duty/obligation to do sth.");
不可颠倒结构:不能说"sb. is incumbent upon to do sth.",必须用"it"或“责任类名词”作主语;
近义词辨析:
be duty-bound to do sth.:更强调“受责任约束”(语气更重);
have an obligation to do sth.:更中性,侧重“义务”;
be incumbent upon:突出“责任的‘理所当然’”(仿佛“天生该做”)。
这个短语本质是“责任的强势表达”,用在需要强调“某人必须做某事”的正式场景中,核心逻辑是“这件事是你的本分”。