the plot centers on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the plot centers on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the main focus or theme of a story, book, or film. Example: "In this novel, the plot centers on the struggle for survival in a post-apocalyptic world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

The plot centers on the pretrial investigation and interrogation of Furtwängler (Stellan Skarsgard) by a brash American officer, Maj.

The New York Times

The plot centers on a young Shakespeare (played in the film by Joseph Fiennes), lovelorn and suffering from writer's block.

The New York Times

The plot centers on Ruthven's need to sacrifice three virgin brides within 24 hours in order to live.

The New York Times - Arts

The plot centers on the sixteen-year-old heiress Mademoiselle de Chartres, who comes to the court of Henri II to make a good match.

Stanford University

The plot centers on the friendship between Captain Justice and Maelstrom (Temar Underwood), a wealthy playboy with a collection of gadgets and a sexual secret.

The New York Times

The plot centers on a boys' summer camp where the losers decide to run away with a vague plan to save endangered buffalo in a canned hunt.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Stateside posters for 1984's "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind," one of Miyazaki's first hits, misrepresent the plot, centered on a girl and a giant insect imbued with a kami.

Huffington Post

Add a vertical colorbar, with height 40percentnthatat of the plot, centered on the plot-normalized coordinates of (0.8,0.45).

Harvard University

The plot centered on an astronaut, mysteriously infected in space, who undergoes a horrifying transformation on returning to Earth.

The New York Times

The plot, centering on a spousal chasm bursting with poignancy, leads the reader through five decades of typical family woes.

The New Yorker

The plot centered on her helping a passenger, a pre-op female-to-male transsexual fleeing an arranged marriage.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the plot centers on" to clearly and concisely introduce the main subject or conflict of a story, film, or play. This helps orient the reader or viewer to the core elements of the narrative.

Common error

Avoid starting too many sentences with "The plot centers on" in a single piece of writing. Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms like "the story revolves around" or rephrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the plot centers on" functions as a sentence opener or introductory phrase to define the core subject or conflict within a narrative. It establishes what the story primarily revolves around, as shown in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

21%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the plot centers on" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to introduce the core subject or conflict within a story. Ludwig AI affirms its proper usage and acceptability. Predominantly found in news and media, and wiki sources, the phrase serves to inform and orient audiences to the central elements of a narrative. While effective, it's advisable to vary sentence structure to avoid redundancy. Alternatives such as "the story revolves around" can provide stylistic variation while maintaining clarity. This phrase enjoys widespread recognition and utility in describing narrative focus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the story revolves around

Focus shifts from the plot to the overall story.

the narrative focuses on

Emphasizes the act of narration and its subject.

the main theme is

Highlights the central thematic element.

the central idea is

Focuses on the core concept or notion.

the story is about

A more direct and simple way to express the subject.

it primarily concerns

More formal, highlighting the primary subject matter.

the focal point is

Highlights a specific element as the center of attention.

the core of the story is

Emphasizes the essential element of the narrative.

the crux of the matter is

Highlights the most important or decisive point.

the subject matter is

A general way to indicate the topic being addressed.

FAQs

How can I use "the plot centers on" in a sentence?

Use "the plot centers on" to clearly state the main focus of a story. For example, "The plot centers on a detective's quest to solve a mysterious murder."

What are some alternatives to "the plot centers on"?

You can use alternatives like "the story revolves around", "the narrative focuses on", or "the main theme is".

Is it grammatically correct to say "the plot centers on"?

Yes, "the plot centers on" is grammatically correct. The verb "centers" agrees with the singular noun "plot", and "on" is the appropriate preposition.

What is the difference between "the plot centers on" and "the story is about"?

"The plot centers on" is more specific, highlighting the central conflict or theme within the narrative structure. "The story is about" is a broader statement that introduces the general subject matter.