to revolve around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to revolve around" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is centered on or focused on a particular subject or theme. Example: "The discussion will revolve around the impact of climate change on global economies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The popular debate, though, seems to revolve around cultural stereotypes.

The New York Times

Life in Monroe tends to revolve around the schools and outdoor recreation.

The New York Times

In the film, Albert tells Feuerzeig, "My life began to revolve around talking to Dr. Owens".

The New Yorker

The dispute seemed to revolve around two issues.

The New Yorker

Solutions have to revolve around how people benefit".

The New York Times

Social life tends to revolve around the family.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yet all events seem to revolve around him.

The Guardian

It all just seems to revolve around music.

The Guardian - Music

They take 570 days to revolve around each other.

The New York Times - Science

Life, for everybody, began to revolve around Wembley.

The Guardian - Sport

The charges are expected to revolve around the killings during the civil war in 2011.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to revolve around" when you want to emphasize that something is central or of primary importance to a particular situation or topic. Be mindful that it can sometimes be replaced with simpler alternatives like "to focus on" for clearer communication.

Common error

Avoid using "to revolve around" excessively in your writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Vary your language by using synonyms like "to center on", "to focus on", or "to be based on" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to revolve around" functions as a prepositional verb phrase, indicating that something is the central point or focus of attention. As evidenced by Ludwig, it is used to describe what a topic, discussion, or activity is primarily concerned with.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

20%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Social Media

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to revolve around" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional verb phrase used to indicate that something is the central focus or primary theme. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is generally considered correct and appropriate for use in various contexts. It appears most frequently in news and media, science, and encyclopedic content, suggesting a neutral to professional register. While versatile, writers should consider alternative expressions like "to center on" or "to focus on" to avoid redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to center on

Emphasizes the idea of something being the main point of focus.

to focus on

Highlights the act of directing attention or effort towards something specific.

to be based on

Suggests that something is founded or established upon a particular element.

to hinge on

Implies that the outcome or success depends significantly on something.

to concentrate on

Indicates a dedicated effort to focus thought and action on a certain subject.

to be concerned with

Expresses a primary interest or preoccupation with something.

to give prominence to

Highlights the act of emphasizing or making something more noticeable.

to underscore the importance of

Suggests emphasizing the importance or significance of something.

to foreground

Implies bringing something to the forefront or making it more noticeable.

to pivot around

Suggests a central point or turning point, similar to revolving.

FAQs

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

Use "to revolve around" to indicate that something is the central focus or theme. For example, "The discussion will "revolve around" the impact of climate change."

What can I say instead of "to revolve around"?

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

Which is correct, "to revolve around" or "to revolve about"?

"To revolve around" is the correct and more commonly used phrase. "To revolve about" is less frequent and can sound archaic.

What's the difference between "to revolve around" and "to involve"?

"To revolve around" implies centrality and focus, whereas "to involve" simply means to include. For example, "The project involves several teams" indicates inclusion, while "The project will "revolve around" sustainability" suggests it's the main theme.