centered around

USAGE SUMMARY

'centered around' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something being focused on or centered on a particular issue or topic. For example: "The discussion was centered around how to best achieve our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Data marts typically are centered around KPIs.

Data Architecture: a Primer for the Data Scientist Big Data, Data Warehouse and Data Vault

Swift said the video centered around unrequited love.

Wikipedia

Realize that everything doesn't have to be centered around alcohol.

WikiHow

"It was centered around the 40 m.p.g.

The New York Times

(An episode centered around Baltimore airs tonight).

The New Yorker

Most theories centered around Sigi Schmid.

The Guardian - Sport

Desserts centered around some welcome ice cream.

The New York Times

Employment is centered around agriculture and paper mills.

The New York Times

The back-and-forth centered around Minnesota's 2005 budget standoff.

The New Yorker

The third, centered around information technology, defines our current era.

The New York Times

It's centered around each individual.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "centered around" when you want to emphasize the core subject or theme. Ensure that the surrounding context clearly supports this central focus.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences where the subject is unclear or hidden. Instead, make sure the active entity that is "centering" something is clearly stated to create more direct and impactful writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "centered around" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating that something is primarily focused or concentrated on a particular subject or idea. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a valid and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "centered around" is a phrasal verb used to indicate that something is primarily focused or concentrated on a particular subject. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts, suggesting its versatility. While grammatically sound, writers should avoid overuse of passive voice for clarity. Consider using alternatives such as "focused on" or "revolved around" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

focused on

Directly indicates a concentration of attention or effort, removing the spatial metaphor.

concentrated on

Highlights the act of bringing things together at a central point or idea.

predominantly focused on

Highlights the overwhelming focus on a specific area or topic.

revolved around

Implies a cyclical or repetitive focus, suggesting that everything returns to the central point.

primarily about

Indicates the main subject or topic, simplifying the expression.

organized around

Emphasizes the structure and arrangement with a central theme.

chiefly concerned with

Emphasizes the main area of concern or interest.

dedicated to

Highlights commitment and focus towards a specific purpose or topic.

hinged on

Suggests that something depends on a central element.

built upon

Implies that something is constructed or developed from a central idea or foundation.

FAQs

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

Use "centered around" to indicate that something is primarily focused or concentrated on a particular topic or idea. For example, "The discussion was centered around the new marketing strategy".

What are some alternatives to "centered around"?

You can use alternatives like "focused on", "revolved around", or "primarily about" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "centered on" instead of "centered around"?

Yes, "centered on" is a grammatically correct and often more concise alternative to "centered around". Both phrases convey a similar meaning, but "centered on" may be preferred for its simplicity.

What is the difference between "centered around" and "based on"?

"Centered around" indicates a primary focus or theme, while "based on" suggests a foundation or starting point. A story might be "based on" true events but "centered around" a specific character's journey.