centered on the idea of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "centered on the idea of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a topic, concept, or theme that serves as the main focus of a discussion or piece of writing. Example: "The research paper is centered on the idea of sustainable development and its impact on urban planning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Having said that, there is another important aspect to giving in the Islamic tradition, one that is centered on the idea of purification (one of the meanings of zakat is purification).

Harvard University

Students developed podcasts centered on the idea of fictional contagions.

Princeton University

In 2007, Ms. Choksi began developing a video trilogy centered on the idea of absence.

The New York Times - Arts

On Breitbart News Daily, Bannon's words often centered on the idea of a global clash of civilizations.

The Washington Post

Centered on the idea of using horns on almost every track, the album sounds uncannily as if it could be in the solo catalogue of either artist.

The New Yorker

Rather than evoking a specific destination, Kors's fall 2012 collection centered on the idea of "rugged elegance" by showing "a mix of cozy textures," in his own words.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

The ideas that rose to the top about how to present CCAA in a renewed manner — one that would appeal to as many alumni as possible — centered on the ideas of people, relevance and inspiration.

Columbia University

From this contextualization, the aim of this course is to discuss a contemporary approach to social development centered on the ideas of Amartya Sen (Nobel Prize in Economics, 1998), with a focus on capabilities.

Stanford University

During his time with her, she gave him two books, one of which was The Miracle of Mind Dynamics, which centers on the idea of perceiving your desired reality and embodying it.

Vice

That Mr. Bryant's defense would center on the idea of consensual interracial sex is itself a testament, many legal scholars say, to how thoroughly times have changed.

The New York Times

With almost two years at the Gardner under her belt, Fogelman sees her mission as maintaining and building on the founder's vision of the museum, which centers on the idea of providing an experience of beauty for a broad, diverse public.

Johns Hopkins University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "centered on the idea of" to clearly define the core concept or theme of your writing. This ensures readers quickly understand the primary focus.

Common error

Avoid using "centered on the idea of" in very simple sentences where a more direct verb would suffice. For example, instead of saying "The book is centered on the idea of friendship", consider "The book explores friendship".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "centered on the idea of" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or clause. As seen in Ludwig, it specifies the core theme or focus of a topic or concept.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Academia

30%

Science

27%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "centered on the idea of" is a prepositional phrase used to highlight the core theme or focus of a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appropriate for use in academic, news, and professional writing. While highly functional in defining the central concept, it is important to avoid overuse in favor of simpler alternatives in basic sentence structures. While this phrase is common across various contexts, authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Washington Post frequently employ it in their reportage, showcasing its utility in setting the stage for in-depth analyses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

focused on the concept of

Replaces "centered" with "focused" and "idea" with "concept", emphasizing concentration on a particular notion.

based on the notion of

Indicates a foundation or starting point rooted in a particular idea.

revolving around the theme of

Suggests the topic is a central, recurring element.

organized around the principle of

Highlights a foundational rule or belief as the core structure.

built upon the premise of

Emphasizes that something is constructed or developed from a foundational assumption.

predicated on the theory of

Similar to 'based on', but specifically refers to a theoretical foundation.

concerned with the subject of

Indicates a focus or worry about a particular subject.

dealing with the matter of

Implies handling or addressing a specific issue.

having as its central point the idea of

A more verbose alternative that still conveys the same basic meaning.

with the main focus on the thought of

Another longer alternative that emphasizes the primary focus being a particular thought.

FAQs

How can I use "centered on the idea of" in a sentence?

Use "centered on the idea of" to introduce the main theme or focus of a discussion, project, or creative work. For instance, "The project is "centered on the idea of" sustainability".

What are some alternatives to "centered on the idea of"?

Alternatives include "focused on the concept of", "based on the notion of", or "revolving around the theme of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "centered on" or "focused on"?

While both are grammatically correct, "centered on" emphasizes that something is fundamentally built around a particular idea, while "focused on" suggests a deliberate concentration on something. Choose the phrase that best reflects the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "centered on the idea of" and "based on the idea of"?

"Centered on the idea of" suggests that the idea is the core around which everything else is organized. "Based on the idea of" implies the idea serves as a foundation or starting point, but might not be the central organizing principle.