centered less on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "centered less on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a shift in focus or emphasis away from a particular subject or theme. Example: "The new curriculum is centered less on rote memorization and more on critical thinking skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Conversations centered less on girls and football and more on the policy issues of the day.

The New York Times

What that means has changed in recent decades as the teaching of Catholic doctrine has centered less on unquestioning adherence to church doctrine.

The New York Times

Okay's script centered less on the Sultan than on the charismatic former Christian slaves Roxelana and Ibrahim, whose lives had strangely parallel trajectories.

The New Yorker

It centered less on wrongdoing and more on creating new policies to protect customer money and improve regulatory oversight in the aftermath of the firm's collapse.

The New York Times

But the talk was centered less on the concert and more on the evening's potential as a symbolic coming-out party for Mr. Messier, as he continues to reshape the former water utility into a global media company.

The New York Times

His resignation, nine years before the mandatory retirement age of 70, prompted an outpouring of support that centered less on his failure to overcome the divisions than his success in avoiding a breakup.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Despite the flurry around new cellphones, experts say that the key to attracting a teenage market may ultimately center less on the devices than on economics.

The New York Times - Tech

Still on the subject of narcissism, she talked about research indicating that, in comparison with men, women's erotic fantasies center less on giving pleasure and more on getting it.

The New York Times - Magazine

One bit of research suggests that women, in contrast to men, in their erotic fantasies "center less on giving pleasure and more on getting it," making them "far less relational than men".

Huffington Post

Old resentments linger, but the raging debate today in Germany centers less on the old border than on the growing gulf between the haves and the have-nots on both sides of the invisible barrier.

The New York Times

But here's a news flash from the municipal trenches, where local governments these days worry more about keeping the lights on: The discussion about government's role in places like this struggling former lumber town centers less on philosophy or politics than on practicality, triage and risk.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "centered less on" to signal a deliberate shift in priorities or perspective. This emphasizes a conscious decision to reduce the importance of one aspect in favor of another.

Common error

Avoid using "centered less on" when simply diminishing something without shifting the focus. The phrase implies a comparative relationship, not just a reduction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "centered less on" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a shift in emphasis or focus. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly conveys that something is receiving diminished attention compared to something else. The examples in Ludwig illustrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "centered less on" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that indicates a shift in focus or a reduction in emphasis. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to highlight that a particular subject is receiving less attention compared to another. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, the phrase offers a neutral tone suitable for various types of communication. Alternatives such as "focused less on" and "emphasized less on" provide similar semantic meaning, offering flexibility in writing. When using the phrase, ensure the alternative focus is clearly articulated to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

focused less on

Direct synonym; replaces "centered" with "focused", maintaining the same meaning.

concentrated less on

Similar to "focused less on", but with a slightly different connotation.

emphasized less on

Replaces "centered" with "emphasized", highlighting a reduced level of importance.

diminished emphasis on

Similar to "emphasized less on" but highlights a reduced emphasis or importance.

minimized the focus on

Highlights the act of reducing the focal point.

de-emphasized

A concise alternative, indicating a reduction in emphasis.

placed less importance on

Rephrases the idea to directly state reduced importance.

dwelt less on

Suggests spending less time or thought on a particular topic.

devoted less attention to

Indicates a reduction in the amount of attention given to something.

paid less heed to

Implies a reduction in the level of attention or warning given.

FAQs

What does "centered less on" mean?

It signifies that something is placing less importance or focus on a particular aspect, shifting the emphasis to something else.

How can I use "centered less on" in a sentence?

Example: "The discussion "centered less on" the budget and more on the project's long-term goals."

What are some alternatives to "centered less on"?

You can use alternatives like "focused less on", "emphasized less on", or "placed less importance on".

Is it grammatically correct to say "centered less on"?

Yes, "centered less on" is grammatically correct and commonly used, as supported by various examples.