are focused around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are focused around" is not considered correct in standard written English.
It is often used in informal contexts to indicate the central theme or subject of a discussion or project, but the more appropriate phrase would be "are focused on." Example: "The discussions are focused around the impact of climate change on agriculture."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Most of her projects are focused around Brain-Computer Interfaces in the context of consumer grade applications.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In this way, the parts present in the game are focused around creating a quick paced loop of online competitive play.

The Guardian - Tech

Wider expectations are focused around the idea that the ECB will do something to boost the supply of credit to companies and in particular SMEs.

The Guardian - Business

The objectives of Santa Cruz's Charles Darwin Research Station, where George plodded around his pen, are focused around captive breeding and conservation.

Independent

The jubilee celebrations are focused around the four-day bank holiday weekend beginning on Saturday 2 June, with the BBC's coverage due to be anchored by Huw Edwards.

The Guardian

May 2001 London mayor, Ken Livingstone says he will do everything in his power to back the bid as long as the development plans are focused around East London.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

All lessons should be focused around achievable objectives.

The Guardian

80% of new cases are from this region, and are focussed around Southern China, Taiwan and SEA.

Cancer Imaging

SCREAM objectives are focussed around key research methodologies: clinical epidemiology, health services research, pharmacoepidemiology and health economics.

CKJ: Clinical Kidney Journal

The course is focused around a set of analytic perspectives.

Cornell University

That is why our energy policy should be focused around "American renewal," not mitigating climate change.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are focused on" instead of "are focused around" for grammatically correct writing. While the latter is common, the former adheres to standard English.

Common error

Avoid using "around" when "on" is grammatically correct. For example, instead of saying "The discussion is focused around the budget", say "The discussion is focused on the budget".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are focused around" functions as a verb phrase indicating the subject or central theme of something. While common, its grammatical correctness is disputed, as Ludwig AI points out.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

34%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "are focused around" is frequently used across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The preferred alternative is "are focused on". Although prevalent in informal settings, adhering to "are focused on" ensures grammatical accuracy in formal writing. Related phrases like "are centered on" and "are concentrated on" offer similar meanings while maintaining grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are centered on

Indicates a shift from "around" to "on", centering the focus.

are concentrated on

Emphasizes a concentration of attention or resources.

are directed towards

Highlights a directional aspect, suggesting movement towards a goal.

revolve around

Implies that something is central and other things orbit it.

are themed around

Suggests that the topic is a central theme that provides the basis or idea for a topic.

are oriented toward

Indicates a specific orientation or alignment with something.

are geared toward

Suggests a deliberate design or adaptation for a particular purpose.

are predicated on

Indicates that something is based or founded on a particular principle.

are concerned with

Indicates a focus on specific issues or topics.

are built upon

Implies a progressive construction or development based on a foundation.

FAQs

Which is the correct phrase, "are focused around" or "are focused on"?

The grammatically correct phrase is "are focused on". While "are focused around" is used, it's generally considered incorrect in formal writing.

What does "are focused around" mean?

The phrase indicates that something is centered or primarily concerned with a particular topic or area. However, "are focused on" is the grammatically preferred alternative.

What can I say instead of "are focused around"?

Alternatives include "are centered on", "are concentrated on", or "are directed towards", depending on the intended nuance.

Is "are focused around" ever acceptable?

While commonly used, especially in informal contexts, it's best to use "are focused on" in formal writing to maintain grammatical correctness.