Revolve around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Revolve around" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is centered on or focused on a particular subject or theme. Example: "The discussion will revolve around the impact of climate change on global economies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

That's what we revolve around, I suppose.

BBC

Many bad habits revolve around cleanliness.

Huffington Post

Conditional statements revolve around "true" and "false" statements.

WikiHow

Most revolve around administrative cost.

The Economist

Early recollections revolve around the radio.

The New York Times - Sports

Many counternarratives revolve around her putative misbehavior.

The New Yorker

Most questions revolve around Bush's mishaps.

The New Yorker

Some strong companies revolve around this.

The Economist

The family's conversations still revolve around books.

The New York Times

The Gruttadaurias' lives now revolve around Pam.

The New York Times

Show" will revolve around? A. No.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "revolve around" to clearly indicate the central theme or focus of a discussion, plan, or concept.

Common error

Ensure the subject truly forms a central point. Avoid using "revolve around" when describing loosely connected or tangential elements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "revolve around" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating that something is central or fundamental to a particular subject, topic, or person. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

13%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "revolve around" is a versatile phrasal verb used to indicate that something is central or fundamental to a particular topic, subject, or person. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific writing. While alternatives like "center on" or "focus on" exist, "revolve around" distinctly emphasizes the centrality of an element. It's essential to use it when the subject truly forms a central point to avoid misapplication. With its neutral register, "revolve around" serves as a valuable tool in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Center on

Focuses on the act of having a central point, simplifying the imagery.

Focus on

Emphasizes the concentration of attention or activity.

Be based on

Highlights the foundation or core element.

Hinge on

Suggests that everything depends on a single, critical point.

Depend on

Indicates reliance or conditional relation.

Turn on

Shows the action of depending on one element.

Be concerned with

Emphasizes the subject of attention or worry.

Consist of

Highlights the main components or elements involved.

Address to

Focuses on the matter of directing communication to.

Affect on

Centers on the action of influencing an element.

FAQs

How can I use "revolve around" in a sentence?

Use "revolve around" to indicate that something is primarily focused on or centered around a particular topic or idea. For example, "The discussion will "revolve around" the impact of climate change".

What can I say instead of "revolve around"?

You can use alternatives like "center on", "focus on", or "be based on" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "center around" or "revolve around"?

While "center around" is commonly used, some style guides prefer "center on" or "revolve around" because "center" already implies a central point. "Revolve around" is generally considered grammatically sound.

What's the difference between "focus on" and "revolve around"?

"Focus on" emphasizes concentration or attention on something, while "revolve around" suggests that something is central and other elements are related to it. "The study "focuses on" data analysis" versus "Her life "revolves around" her children".