to center on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to center on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the main focus or topic of a discussion, project, or piece of writing. Example: "The research paper will center on the effects of climate change on marine life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

After a single and a strikeout, Sheffield homered to center on a one-strike count.

The New York Times - Sports

The new talks are expected to center on those fields.

The New York Times

While Morris seeks wisdom mainly from other men, the novel's tensions seem to center on women.

The New York Times - Books

In fact, Baker's plays tend to center on a kind of mentorship.

The New Yorker

The skepticism from the senators seems mainly to center on plans for the heavy-lift rocket.

The New York Times - Science

Media outlets also continue to center on Mr. Romney's Bain years.

The New York Times

But your Cuban experience is going to center on the restaurants.

The New York Times - Travel

Even afterward, however, Jewish life continued to center on this area.

The New York Times - Travel

Instead, the debate over books tends to center on geopolitics, national security and foreign policy.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

But unlike the Ecstasy-fueled raves in the 1990s, these clubs do not appear to center on drugs.

The New York Times

True's success seems to center on its willingness to bet earlier on teams than many other Series A investors.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to center on" when you want to emphasize that something is the primary point of attention or focus. Ensure that the subject you're centering on is clearly defined for effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "to center on" excessively in passive constructions, which can weaken your writing. Instead of saying, "The discussion is to center on…", opt for active voice: "The discussion will center on…", for a more direct and engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to center on" functions as a prepositional verb phrase, indicating the main subject or focal point of a discussion, analysis, or activity. Ludwig AI shows this phrase is commonly used across various contexts to highlight the primary emphasis of a given topic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

24%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to center on" is a versatile and frequently used prepositional phrase that serves to highlight the main topic or focus of a discussion, analysis, or activity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted. It is most commonly found in news and media, scientific publications, and wiki articles. While it's appropriate for a range of contexts, avoid overusing it in passive constructions to maintain a strong writing style. Remember that while similar, alternatives like "to focus on" or "to revolve around" can offer nuanced meanings depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to focus on

Implies a more deliberate act of directing attention.

to revolve around

Suggests something is the central point around which everything else is organized.

to concentrate on

Indicates a more intensive effort to direct attention and resources.

to hinge on

Highlights that something depends or is contingent upon it.

to be predicated on

Implies a foundational or logical dependence.

to zero in on

Suggests targeting something with precision.

to dwell on

Implies a prolonged focus, sometimes excessive.

to emphasize

Highlights the importance of something.

to stress

Similar to emphasize, but can imply a sense of urgency.

to foreground

Bring to the most important or prominent position.

FAQs

How can I use "to center on" in a sentence?

Use "to center on" to indicate the main topic or focus of something. For example, "The debate will "center on" economic policy".

What are some alternatives to "to center on"?

You can use alternatives such as "to focus on", "to revolve around", or "to concentrate on" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "to focus on" or "to center on"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "to focus on" may imply a more deliberate and directed effort, while "to center on" suggests that something naturally gravitates to that point.

What is the difference between "to hinge on" and "to center on"?

"To hinge on" suggests that the outcome depends on something, whereas "to center on" implies that something is the main topic or focus. The phrases are not interchangeable.