revolve around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "revolve around" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is used to indicate that something is centered or focused on something else. For example, "The movie revolves around a young girl who must save her family from a dangerous villain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's what we revolve around, I suppose.

BBC

Many bad habits revolve around cleanliness.

Huffington Post

Conditional statements revolve around "true" and "false" statements.

WikiHow

Most revolve around administrative cost.

The Economist

Early recollections revolve around the radio.

The New York Times - Sports

Many counternarratives revolve around her putative misbehavior.

The New Yorker

Most questions revolve around Bush's mishaps.

The New Yorker

Some strong companies revolve around this.

The Economist

The family's conversations still revolve around books.

The New York Times

The Gruttadaurias' lives now revolve around Pam.

The New York Times

Show" will revolve around? A. No.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing complex systems or abstract concepts, "revolve around" can help to simplify the explanation by pinpointing the most important aspect.

Common error

Avoid using "revolve around" in sentences where a simpler verb like "focus" or "center" would suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound verbose and less direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "revolve around" functions as a predicate, indicating the central theme, focus, or primary concern of a subject. Ludwig confirms its correct usage. For example, "Their lives revolve around the river" highlights the river's importance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "revolve around" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to indicate a central focus or theme. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered correct for written English. Its frequency across various sources, from news media to encyclopedias, underscores its widespread acceptability. While effective in pinpointing core elements, overuse in simple sentences should be avoided. Alternatives such as ""center on"" or "focus on" may provide more directness in certain contexts. Understanding its function and communicative purpose allows writers to effectively use "revolve around" to convey the central aspects of a subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

center on

Expresses a similar idea of focusing or concentrating on a particular topic or point, but emphasizes direct focus more than cyclical movement.

focus on

Implies a concentration of attention or effort on a specific subject, with a stronger emphasis on intentional direction.

hinge on

Suggests that the outcome or validity of something depends entirely on a single crucial element.

be based on

Indicates a foundation or origin from which something is developed, highlighting the dependence on a core element.

depend on

Emphasizes reliance or conditional relationship, where one thing is contingent upon another.

be concerned with

Highlights a focus on a particular topic or issue, often related to matters of importance or relevance.

deal with

Indicates that the matter is related to a specific topic, however it's more generic and can indicate a minor correlation.

relate to

Shows a connection or association between two things, which is a weaker connection in respect to "revolve around".

turn on

Suggests a key element or condition influencing the course of events, however its meaning is linked to a mechanical operation.

touch on

Indicates a brief mention or superficial coverage of a topic, however it means that the matter is treated in an incomplete way.

FAQs

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

Use "revolve around" to indicate that something is primarily focused on or concerned with a particular subject. For example, "The discussion will "center on" environmental issues".

What can I say instead of "revolve around"?

You can use alternatives like ""center on"", "focus on", or "be based on" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "revolve around" or "revolve on"?

"Revolve around" is the correct and commonly used phrase. "Revolve on" is not idiomatic and should be avoided.

What's the difference between "revolve around" and "deal with"?

"Revolve around" suggests a central or primary focus, whereas "deal with" indicates handling or addressing a specific issue or topic, which may not be the main focus.