at its center

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at its center" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the main or most important part of something, often in a metaphorical or physical context. Example: "The debate about climate change is at its center a discussion about our responsibility to future generations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Bend it slightly at its center to create a better grip.

WikiHow

It has a huge heart at its center.

The New York Times

And it, too, has a complicated matriarch at its center.

The New Yorker

It has formed a relativistic black hole; at its center lies a spacetime singularity.

SEP

It has an exciting or intriguing narrative at its center.

Huffington Post

It must be the inviolable core of faith at its center.

The New York Times

It's a haunting, romantic story with a mystery at its center.

The New York Times

At its center is Victor, a.k.a.a

The New Yorker

At its center, the word "Rumble".

The New York Times - Arts

The pale green Victorian is at its center.

The New York Times

But the issues at its center are not going away.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at its center" to clearly and concisely identify the most important element, idea, or physical point of something. Ensure that the context makes the 'center' readily identifiable for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "at its center" when the 'center' isn't well-defined or easily understood. This can lead to vague or confusing sentences. Instead, clarify what specifically is the central element.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at its center" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or clause, indicating the location of something at the core or middle point. Ludwig shows this is a common way to specify a central aspect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at its center" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to denote the core or most important aspect of something. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It's most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to ensure the 'center' is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For alternative phrasing, "at its core" or "in its heart" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at its core

Replaces "center" with "core", implying a fundamental or essential part.

in its heart

Uses "heart" metaphorically to suggest the emotional or most important part.

at its nucleus

Replaces "center" with "nucleus", suggesting the central point around which something develops.

at the heart of it

Emphasizes the importance of the central element by placing it within the heart.

centrally located within

Focuses on the physical location of being in the middle of something.

at the focal point

Highlights the aspect of being the main point of attention or interest.

in the midst of

Indicates being surrounded by something, implying a central position.

at the epicentre

Highlights the aspect of being the literal or metaphorical epicentre of a situation or event.

fundamental to it

Shifts the focus to being essential or foundational, rather than just in the middle.

primary focus of

Emphasizes the main subject or area of attention.

FAQs

How can I use "at its center" in a sentence?

Use "at its center" to point out the most important part or core idea of something. For example, "The debate "at its center" is about resource allocation".

What are some alternatives to "at its center"?

You can use phrases like "at its core", "in its heart", or "centrally located within" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "in its center" instead of "at its center"?

While "in its center" might be understandable, ""at its center"" is the more common and idiomatic choice, particularly in formal writing.

When is it best to use "at its center" metaphorically?

Use "at its center" metaphorically when you want to emphasize the central theme, idea, or driving force behind something abstract. For example, "At its center, the novel explores themes of isolation".