devolve/ deputy/ deputize

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to give me your opinion concerning the correctness of the following seven sentences?

The responsibility for bread-winning has of late years devolved increasingly upon women

They devolved their whole authority into the hands of the council of sixty.

The whole estate was devolved to an unlikely heir.

Head teacher devolved all his duties to his deputy.

He was appointed a deputy to the sheriff by the major of our town.

He deputed bookkeeping to me while he was away.

Would you be kind enough to deputize for me as chairman while I am on holiday?

V.

[Amigos4]

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to give me your opinion concerning the correctness of the following seven sentences?

The responsibility for bread-winning has of late years devolved increasingly upon women

They devolved their whole authority into the hands of the council of sixty.

The whole estate was devolved to an unlikely heir.

Head teacher devolved all his duties to his deputy.

He was appointed a deputy to the sheriff by the major of our town.

He deputed bookkeeping to me while he was away.

Would you be kind enough to deputize for me as chairman while I am on holiday?

V.

Hi, Vil!

'Devolve' is a perfectly acceptable verb. However, I can assure you that it is rarely heard in American conversations. Are you sure you want to use it in your conversations? In my opinion, there are other words that would be more appropriate to use.

[vil]

Hi amigos4,

Thank you for your complaisant remark.

It is most likely that you give me inkling of the usage of the following substitutes of the uncommon “devolve”

devolve = alienate, commission, consign, convey, delegate, deliver, entrust, fall to, hand down, rest with, surrender

Would you tell me your choice?

Regards,

V.

[Amigos4]

Would you tell me your choice?

The responsibility for bread-winning has of late years devolved increasingly upon women
The responsibility for bread-winning has fallen increasingly upon women.

They devolved their whole authority into the hands of the council of sixty.
They delegated their authority to the Council of Sixty.

The whole estate was devolved to an unlikely heir.
The whole estate was bequeathed to an unlikely heir.


Head teacher devolved all his duties to his deputy.
The Head Teacher relinquished all his duties to his deputy.

He was appointed a deputy to the sheriff by the major of our town.
He was appointed Deputy to the Sheriff by the Major of our town.

He deputed bookkeeping to me while he was away.
He assigned the bookkeeping to me while he was away.

Would you be kind enough to deputize for me as chairman while I am on holiday?
Would you be kind enough to substitute for me as Chairman while I am on holiday?

V.

`

[vil]

Hi amigos4,

Thank you for your kindness.

Words fail me to to express my gratitude.

V.