revolving around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "revolving around" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to refer to several related ideas, themes, or topics that form a circle or cycle around a single concept. For example: "The conversation was revolving around football, with everyone chiming in with their predictions for the upcoming season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's an open-ended question, revolving around collaboration.

The New York Times

They will, for example, be able to pick out individual planets revolving around distant stars.

The Economist

He also said that the scenes revolving around "the answer" reminded him of The Matrix.

Wikipedia

In January 1610 he discovered four moons revolving around Jupiter.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This event, revolving around young film-makers, has no sponsorship.

Independent

Rosen also writes a blog, largely revolving around education.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A comedy of manners revolving around two European-American couples.

The New York Times - Books

I am very concerned about the issues revolving around Michael.

The New York Times - Sports

On Thursday the company introduced three free pieces of software revolving around education.

The New York Times

Snyder's fight is an economic issue, revolving around licensing, marketing and branding.

The New York Times - Sports

It was a place of canyon vistas revolving around the enormous valley of the Kali Gandaki.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical movement, use "rotating around" instead of "revolving around" to convey a more accurate image. For example, say "The Earth rotates around its axis", not "The Earth revolves around its axis".

Common error

Avoid using "revolving around" when describing a static relationship without a sense of cyclical movement or thematic centrality. It's better to use "related to" or "concerning" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "revolving around" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate the central theme, topic, or subject that something relates to. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is considered grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts. Examples show it connecting diverse elements to a focal point.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "revolving around" is a grammatically sound and common prepositional phrase used to denote that something centers on or is thematically linked to a particular subject. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability. It finds frequent use in news and media, science, and general writing, indicating its versatility and neutrality. When using this phrase, ensure that you are accurately conveying the idea of centrality or thematic connection, and avoid using it in static, non-thematic relationships. Consider alternatives like "centering on" or "focused on" to refine your meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

centering on

Indicates a focus on a central point, similar to revolving but with less emphasis on movement.

focused on

Suggests a concentration of attention or effort, losing the cyclical nature of "revolving".

concerned with

Emphasizes the subject of worry or interest, shifting the focus from centrality to relevance.

dealing with

Implies managing or addressing a topic, which is a broader sense than the central theme.

pertaining to

Indicates a connection or relevance, but not necessarily a central focus.

relating to

Suggests a general connection or association, less strong than a central theme.

about

A very general term indicating the subject matter, losing the nuance of centrality.

surrounding

Focuses on what encompasses or is near a central point, rather than the central point itself.

dependent on

Highlights reliance or contingency, shifting away from the concept of centrality.

hinging on

Suggests that something is crucial or dependent, emphasizing importance rather than thematic focus.

FAQs

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

You can use "revolving around" to indicate that something centers or focuses on a particular subject. For example, "The plot of the movie is "revolving around" a group of teenagers."

What are some alternatives to "revolving around"?

Alternatives to "revolving around" include phrases like "centering on", "focused on", or "concerned with", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "rotating around" instead of "revolving around"?

"Rotating around" refers to physical movement around an axis, while "revolving around" typically describes a thematic or abstract relationship. Using "rotating around" for thematic connections would be incorrect.

What's the difference between "revolving around" and "concerning"?

"Revolving around" implies a central theme with related aspects, while "concerning" simply indicates that something is about a particular subject without necessarily implying centrality.