revolves around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "revolves around" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that something is central or essential to something else. For example, you could say "The narrative of the book revolves around a family reunion".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Every long-stay hotel revolves around rules.

Independent

"White Chalk" revolves around isolation.

The New York Times - Arts

Your entire day revolves around willpower.

Harvard Business Review

News coverage revolves around... news.

HuffPost

This network revolves around ceramide as depicted in Fig.  2.

Apoptosis : an international journal on programmed cell death

The agency revolves around Thaler.

The New Yorker

"Your day revolves around it.

The New York Times - Sports

Their life revolves around running".

The New York Times - Sports

Everything revolves around them.

The New York Times - Sports

Socialising revolves around food.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mine revolved around my sons.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "revolves around" to clearly indicate the central theme, idea, or element that something focuses on. This helps to provide a concise and accurate description.

Common error

Avoid using "revolves around" multiple times within the same paragraph. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "centers on", "is focused on", or "hinges on" to maintain reader engagement and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "revolves around" functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating that something is central, primary, or fundamental to something else. It emphasizes the core element around which other aspects are organized or focused. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "revolves around" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate that something is central or essential. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, most frequently appearing in News & Media sources. When writing, it is essential to use "revolves around" judiciously, avoiding overuse by incorporating synonyms like ""centers on"" or "is focused on". The phrase's versatility makes it a valuable tool for clear and concise communication, provided it's employed with awareness of context and stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

centers on

Implies a core focus, similar to "revolves around" but suggests a tighter, more direct concentration.

is focused on

Emphasizes a deliberate concentration or targeted approach.

hinges on

Suggests that everything depends on a single crucial point.

is predicated on

Indicates that something is based or founded on a particular assumption or principle.

is structured around

Highlights the organizational aspect, suggesting a framework built around a central element.

is concerned with

Indicates a primary subject or area of interest.

deals with

Suggests a handling or management of a topic or issue.

turns on

Similar to "hinges on" but can also imply a pivotal moment or event.

is all about

An informal way of saying that something's main theme or concern is something else.

is based on

Implies a foundation or starting point, suggesting that something is built upon something else.

FAQs

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

The phrase "revolves around" indicates that something is central or essential. For example: "The plot of the movie "centers on" a family's struggle for survival".

What can I say instead of "revolves around"?

You can use alternatives like ""centers on"", "is focused on", or "hinges on" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say something "revolves around" a person or only a concept?

It's correct to say something "revolves around" either a person or a concept. For example, "Her life "centers on" her children" or "The discussion "centers on" economic policy" are both grammatically sound.

What's the difference between "revolves around" and "concerns"?

"Revolves around" implies centrality or focus, while "concerns" simply means it's about or related to. "The book revolves around love" means love is a central theme, while "The book concerns love" means love is a topic discussed.