The spelling of the phrase "falls upon" can be a bit tricky for English learners. The first word, "falls," is spelled with two L's and pronounced /fɔlz/. The second word, "upon," is pronounced /əˈpɒn/ and is spelled with four letters: U-P-O-N. The letter combination "u-p-o" can be especially confusing, as it is not always pronounced with a clear /u/ sound. However, with practice, the spelling and pronunciation of "falls upon" can become more natural for non-native speakers.
The phrase "falls upon" is idiomatic and can have multiple interpretations depending on the context in which it is used. One common meaning of this phrase is to describe an event or circumstance that befalls someone unexpectedly or suddenly. In this sense, it implies a surprise or an unplanned occurrence. For example, if a severe storm suddenly occurs, one could say that it "falls upon" a town or city, indicating that the community is unexpectedly affected by the natural disaster.
Additionally, "falls upon" can also denote the act of someone directing their attention or focus onto a particular subject or task. It implies a deliberate or intentional action to engage with or address something. For instance, if a person is assigned a difficult project, they may "fall upon" the task, emphasizing their directed effort and full engagement in completing it.
Furthermore, "falls upon" can indicate responsibility or blame being assigned to someone or something. It suggests that an individual or entity is burdened or held accountable for a specific action or outcome. For instance, if a failure occurs within a company, the blame may "fall upon" a particular department or individual, implying that they are held responsible for the occurrence.
Overall, the phrase "falls upon" encompasses various meanings based on context, encompassing surprise, intentional focus, and assigning responsibility.
The etymology of the phrase "falls upon" can be understood by examining the origins of the individual words involved.
1. Falls: This word traces its roots back to Middle English, derived from the Old English word "feallan". It can be further traced to the Proto-Germanic word "*fallaną" meaning "to fall".
2. Upon: This word comes from Middle English, originating from the Old English word "on". It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*ana" meaning "on, in".
When combined, "falls upon" expresses an action of something dropping or descending onto something else. The phrase exhibits a combination of Germanic linguistic roots.