center

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "center" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a noun to refer to the middle point of something, or a place where activities, people, or events converge. For example: "The town square serves as the center of activity in this small town."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Asked about the role of government and industry in combatting climate change, US voters were most likely to say that corporations and industry should be doing more, according to polling last year by the George Mason center.

The Guardian

Adjust until you have bright yellow small center and bright red corners.

WikiHow

Mindy Corporon, mother of the boy and the daughter of William Corporon, did not attend the service because she felt it too soon to return to the community center, said Rev Adam Hamilton, the Corporon family's minister.

The Guardian

The 37-year-old Slovak center celebrated by pounding the boards behind the net as the sellout crowd of 21,871 roared.

The Guardian - Sport

All of them center around controlling bank "reserves," or the money they keep parked with the Fed.

The Guardian - Business

At the back too, Scott is out for the red card from last week, but center back is one of the positions the Sounders are pretty deep at.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Senator Marco Rubio (Florida): Rubio was a relatively minor player in the shutdown theater, but he stands to benefit enormously from it as far as Tea Party support goes, as it has weakened the chances that the immigration debate will return to front-and-center.

The Guardian - Opinion

The bay colt, owned by Zayat Stables and trained by Bob Baffert, was installed as the 3-5 morning-line fatorite at Wednesday's draw, held for the first time at Rockefeller Center in Manhattan instead of Belmont Park's Garden Terrace room.

The Guardian - Sport

Caesar first brought the images to the National Holocaust Museum in Washington (where 10 images were recently exhibited in the Museum's Genocide Prevention Center), seeking to learn how best to preserve and archive the images and preserve them for future prosecution.

The Guardian

"It's not a particularly ambitious action," said Sarah Burt, a lawyer for Earthjustice which first sued the EPA in 2007 on behalf of the Center for Biological Diversity, Friends of the Earth, and the Natural Resources Defense Council and other groups.

The Guardian

In 2010, the media closely covered the Islamophobic resistance to the construction of the so-called "Ground Zero mosque" in New York City, and the Southern Poverty Law Center documented a 50% increase in hate crimes against apparent Muslims.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more descriptive synonyms like "focal point" or "hub" to add nuance and specificity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "center" without specifying what it is the center of. For instance, instead of saying "The center was busy", specify "The community center was busy" to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The word "center" functions primarily as a noun, designating a middle point, a place, or an institution. It can also serve as a verb, indicating the act of focusing or concentrating. Ludwig AI affirms its correct and versatile usage, as demonstrated in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "center" is a versatile term frequently used as both a noun and a verb. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly denotes a middle point, a place of activity, or the act of focusing. Predominantly used in contexts such as News & Media, Wiki, and Formal & Business writing, "center" maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse applications. To enhance clarity, ensure the reference is clear, and consider employing synonyms like ""focal point"" or ""hub"" for nuanced expressions. Overall, "center" is a valuable and reliable term in English vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

midpoint

Indicates the exact central position on a line or scale.

middle point

Emphasizes the spatial aspect of being equidistant from all sides.

focus

Highlights the point of concentration or emphasis.

focal point

Highlights the element that captures the most attention or importance.

core

Implies the innermost part or essence of something.

heart of

Suggests the core or most vital part of something.

hub

Focuses on a central place or point of activity.

nucleus

Refers to the central part around which other parts are gathered or clustered.

seat

Used to describe the main location or place where authority or activity resides.

epicenter

Specifically denotes the central point of something, often used in contexts of events or activities.

FAQs

How is "center" used in a sentence?

The word "center" can be used as a noun to denote a middle point, location, or institution. As a verb, it means to focus or concentrate. For example, "The town's center is bustling with activity", or "The debate will "center around" economic policy".

What are some synonyms for "center"?

Depending on the context, synonyms for "center" include "middle point", "focal point", "heart of", "hub", and "nucleus".

Is it correct to use "center" as a verb?

Yes, "center" is a valid verb. It means to focus or concentrate on something. For example, "The book will "center on" the life of the artist."

What's the difference between "center" and "centre"?

"Center" is the preferred spelling in American English, while "centre" is the preferred spelling in British English. Both refer to the same concept.