The correct spelling of the phrase "were incumbent upon" has frequently been misspelled as "were incumbent up on." The word "incumbent" refers to a person who holds an official position or duty. The correct pronunciation of "incumbent" is /ɪnˈkʌmbənt/, with stress on "cum." Therefore, the correct spelling of the phrase should be "were incumbent upon." The correct usage of this phrase means that someone is obligated or responsible for a particular action or task.
"were incumbent upon" is a phrase used to express a moral or ethical duty or responsibility on someone or something. It suggests that a certain course of action is necessary or required based on the circumstances or expectations.
The word "were" in this phrase indicates a past tense, implying that the duty or responsibility was incumbent upon someone in the past. The term "incumbent" refers to an obligation or duty, suggesting that it is necessary or morally obligatory for someone to fulfill a particular role or take on a specific responsibility. The word "upon" indicates that the duty or responsibility is placed on someone, implying that they are expected to carry it out.
The phrase "were incumbent upon" serves as a reminder that in a given situation, an individual or entity had a duty or responsibility to act in a certain way, based on their role, position, or the prevailing circumstances. It suggests that there was an expectation for a specific action to be taken, highlighting the sense of obligation or duty felt by the subject.
Overall, "were incumbent upon" conveys the idea that there was a moral or ethical imperative in the past, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling a particular responsibility or duty that was expected or required at that time.