centered on whether

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "centered on whether" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a topic or issue that revolves around a specific question or condition. Example: "The debate was centered on whether the new policy would benefit the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

More recently, the language debate has centered on whether professors should demonstrate fluency in Catalan to teach in one of Catalonia's universities.

The New York Times

Mrs. Jackson's suit centered on whether her son or A.E.G.

The New York Times

Speculation had centered on whether an independent energy ministry would be established.

The New York Times

The Pantene-Dove case centered on whether Dove Therapy repaired hair better than a Pantene conditioner.

The New York Times

The criminal investigation, centered on whether Ogilvy employees altered time sheets, is continuing.

The New York Times

A separate criminal investigation continues, centered on whether Ogilvy employees altered time sheets.

The New York Times

For decades, debates centered on whether hockey could survive without fighting.

The New York Times - Sports

The fight centered on whether it would be an asset or a liability.

The New York Times

The most important discussions at Southfork centered on whether you were or weren't a "real" Ewing.

The New York Times - Magazine

Much of the debate during the argument centered on whether Arizona's narrowed definition of insanity made a practical difference.

The New York Times

The dispute centered on whether formerly state-owned companies continued to benefit from state subsidies granted before privatization.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "centered on whether" when you want to emphasize that a discussion, debate, or investigation primarily revolves around a specific question or condition. It's effective for highlighting the core point of contention or uncertainty.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "centered on whether" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "focused on whether" or "depended on whether" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "centered on whether" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing an indirect question. It indicates that the main topic or point of discussion is dependent on the answer to the question that follows. Ludwig confirms its usability, showcasing numerous examples in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "centered on whether" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression that indicates the main focus of a discussion or debate. Ludwig confirms that it's often used to emphasize the key question or condition that needs to be resolved. While appropriate for formal contexts, it also appears frequently in news and media, suggesting its versatility. Some alternatives include "focused on whether", "depended on whether", and "revolved around whether". When writing, remember that although the phrase is correct, you must make sure to keep the writing style aligned with the context and choose a different expression when more informality is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

revolved around whether

Substitutes "centered" with "revolved", implying the issue was a primary point of discussion.

hinged on whether

Replaces "centered" with "hinged", suggesting the outcome significantly depends on the answer to the question.

focused on whether

A more direct synonym for "centered", indicating a concentration of attention.

depended on whether

Emphasizes the conditional aspect, highlighting that something's occurrence is subject to a condition.

concerned whether

Shifts the focus to the matter of concern related to a particular condition.

turned on whether

Similar to "hinged on", this emphasizes that the result is determined by the answer to the condition.

rested on whether

Implies the entire argument or decision relies on the truth of a condition.

was contingent on whether

Highlights the conditional nature of the situation in a more formal way.

the crux was whether

Emphasizes that a specific point or condition is the decisive one.

boiled down to whether

Suggests the issue has been simplified to a single, fundamental question.

FAQs

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

The phrase "centered on whether" indicates that a discussion or debate primarily focuses on a specific question or condition. For example, "The debate "centered on whether" the new policy would benefit the community."

What are some alternatives to "centered on whether"?

You can use alternatives such as "focused on whether", "depended on whether", or "revolved around whether", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "centered on whether" or "centered around whether"?

"Centered on whether" and "centered around whether" are both grammatically correct, but ""centered on whether"" is more concise and generally preferred. The choice often comes down to stylistic preference.

In what contexts is "centered on whether" most appropriate?

The phrase "centered on whether" is suitable for formal writing and discussions where you need to clearly indicate the main point of contention. It's common in news articles, academic papers, and professional reports.