centered on what

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "centered on what" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking for clarification or specifics about the focus or main topic of a discussion or piece of writing. Example: "The presentation was interesting, but I still don't understand what it was centered on what."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Kaplan's goal is to provide his countrymen with just such a map, one centered on what he calls "the Greater Indian Ocean".

The New York Times - Books

This time, the debate centered on what do you spend on new programs or add to existing ones as opposed to what you would cut".

The New York Times

Meals are centered on what nearby farmers are growing.

The New York Times

"You felt it was very centered on what was happening in Brooklyn.

The New York Times - Books

He says his position is fundamentally selfish, however, centered on what is best for shareholders.

The New York Times

Still, talk has centered on what, if anything, Mr. Prokhorov stands to lose.

The New York Times

But the liveliest discussion centered on what type of concrete to use.

The New York Times

This year, much tax scuttlebutt has centered on what is known as the deemed-sale rule.

The New York Times

The debate centered on what kind of studies could be trusted.

The New York Times

He soon began to pursue the idea of a stripped-down version centered on — what would you call it?

The New York Times

Much of those meetings, according to attendees, centered on what kind of cases enforcement should be pursuing.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs like 'revolved around' or 'hinged on' if you want to emphasize the central importance of the topic.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences with "centered on what" in a way that makes the subject unclear or passive. Ensure the sentence structure highlights who or what is doing the centering.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "centered on what" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, adjective, or noun. It indicates the primary subject or focus of an action, discussion, or description. As Ludwig AI highlights, the structure is grammatically sound and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "centered on what" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to indicate the main focus or subject of something. Ludwig AI confirms that it is widely accepted in written English. It is versatile and suitable for various contexts, from formal news reports to scientific discussions. While alternatives like "focused on what" or "based on what" exist, "centered on what" effectively conveys the idea of something being primarily about a specific topic. Remembering to maintain a clear and specific reference for 'what' and avoiding overuse of the passive voice will ensure clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

focused on what

Replaces "centered" with "focused", maintaining the meaning of primary attention, but with a slightly different nuance.

concentrated on what

Substitutes "centered" with "concentrated", implying a more intense or dedicated focus.

revolved around what

Uses "revolved around" instead of "centered on", suggesting that something is a key element.

hinged on what

Employs "hinged on" to indicate a point where everything depends.

predicated on what

Replaces with "predicated on", making the focus a basic condition of something.

based on what

Expresses something as being developed or originated from certain facts.

concerned with what

Indicates the topic or main theme.

related to what

Implies a connection or association with some content.

dealing with what

Focuses on the act of managing some issues.

regarding what

Addresses that you're writing or talking about a specific subject.

FAQs

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

Use "centered on what" to indicate the main focus or subject of something. For example, "The discussion "centered on what" the next steps should be".

What are some alternatives to "centered on what"?

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

What is the difference between "centered on what" and "focused on what"?

"Centered on what" and "focused on what" are very similar, but "focused on" might imply a sharper, more deliberate concentration, while "centered on" can suggest a more natural or inherent centrality.

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

"Centered on" is generally considered more precise and grammatically sound. "Centered around" is also used, but some consider it redundant since "centered" already implies being 'around' a central point.