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"the onus is on..." Style and popularity?



 
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"in front" vs. "to the front" | "ask" and "ask of": difference?
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"the onus is on..." Style and popularity? #1 (permalink) Fri May 26, 2006 7:06 am   "the onus is on..." Style and popularity?
 

Hi, to me the phrase 'the onus is on us to....' sounds very good and I like it. My question is how many people would use this phrase and how would describe the register of it? I mean, it's rather high-level, business style, isn't it?

Thanks,
Torsten

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"the onus is on..." Style and popularity? #2 (permalink) Fri May 26, 2006 7:50 am   "the onus is on..." Style and popularity?
 

Hi Torsten

You're right. The word "onus" is not a terribly "low level" or "everyday" word. It would most likely be used in some kind of a professional or business context. I imagine that lawyers are also fond of this word. And I think you'll also find the word onus used in the news.

Amy
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"the onus is on..." Style and popularity? #3 (permalink) Fri May 26, 2006 10:09 am   "the onus is on..." Style and popularity?
 

.
Ms Google says: 4,100,000 English pages for 'the onus is on them'; 4,070,000 English pages for 'the onus is on us'.

We've always used the phrase in my family-- I learnt it from me paw. I think you'll find the set phrase more common than the single word onus.
.
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Is Google female? #4 (permalink) Fri May 26, 2006 10:21 am   Is Google female?
 

Hi Charles, thanks for that. Could you please explain why you think Google is female ;-)?

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"the onus is on..." Style and popularity? #5 (permalink) Fri May 26, 2006 10:23 am   "the onus is on..." Style and popularity?
 

Hi Mr. M

Yes, Google does find a lot of instances of "the onus is on", including, for example, this sentence:
"The onus is on the people who want to believe in the Flying Spaghetti Monster to find evidence that [He] is there." :lol:

Nevertheless, I still feel this expression is not terribly "low level". But also that it's not exclusive to business. ;)

Amy
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"the onus is on..." Style and popularity? #6 (permalink) Fri May 26, 2006 10:39 am   "the onus is on..." Style and popularity?
 

.
Quote:
Could you please explain why you think Google is female


Just a conceit (= 'fanciful thought or idea') of mine, Torsten.
.
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