were centered on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were centered on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the main focus or emphasis of a discussion, study, or activity. Example: "The research findings were centered on the impact of climate change on biodiversity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

All images were centered on the fovea and aligned to one average image according to their anatomic details.

BioMed Research International

Rather, the ads were centered on young, physically fit men in humorous situations.

The New York Times

On Sunday most rescue efforts were centered on Dorchester and Charleston.

The Guardian

Previous campaigns to promote outside investment in the Irish economy were centered on the country's people.

The New York Times

"Most of the reviews were centered on how I looked like Frasier," Mr. Grammer noted ruefully.

The New York Times - Arts

That spot was among more than a dozen that were centered on cartoon-style violence or slapstick shtick.

The New York Times

Trump's depiction of who those voters were centered on two broad archetypes: Veterans and displaced factory workers.

The Washington Post

There seem to have been no major extinctions associated with the Late Paleozoic glaciations that were centered on Gondwanaland.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The Red Sox were smitten with Mark Teixeira, the free-agent first baseman, and their off-season plans were centered on trying to sign him.

The New York Times - Sports

Continuous variables were centered on the mean value.

Critical Care

By the time he reached college at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology his interests were centered on physics and cosmology.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were centered on" to clearly indicate the main subject or point of emphasis in your writing, ensuring the reader understands the core focus.

Common error

Avoid using "were centered on" when an active voice construction would be more direct and clear. For example, instead of "The discussions were centered on the budget", consider "The committee centered their discussions on the budget".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were centered on" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating the subject received the action of focusing or emphasizing. Ludwig AI shows that this phrase is commonly used to specify the primary focus of something, such as discussions or research.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

37%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were centered on" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction, indicating the primary focus or emphasis of a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase commonly appears in Science, News & Media, and Academia contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider whether an active voice might be more direct. Alternatives like ""were focused on"" or ""revolved around"" offer similar meanings, enabling writers to select the most appropriate nuance for their specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were focused on

This alternative directly replaces "centered" with "focused", maintaining a very similar meaning with a slightly different emphasis.

were concentrated on

This alternative replaces "centered" with "concentrated", suggesting a gathering or focusing of efforts or attention.

were primarily about

This option shifts the structure to "were primarily about", indicating the main subject matter.

revolved around

This alternative implies that something turned or depended on a central point or theme.

were directed at

This implies an action or intention aimed towards a specific target.

were themed around

This alternative is suitable when a subject is organized according to a theme.

were based on

This alternative indicates that something is founded or reliant on a certain principle or concept.

hinged on

This phrase suggests a critical dependency, like a door that swings on a hinge.

dwelt on

This expresses prolonged focus or attention to something.

addressed

This alternative focuses on actions regarding issues or subject.

FAQs

What does "were centered on" mean?

The phrase "were centered on" means that something's primary focus, emphasis, or subject is a specific topic, idea, or thing. It indicates the main point around which something revolves or is organized.

How can I use "were centered on" in a sentence?

You can use "were centered on" to describe the main focus of a discussion, activity, or piece of writing. For example: "The negotiations "were centered on" tax issues." or "The research "were centered on" climate change impacts."

What are some alternatives to "were centered on"?

Alternatives to "were centered on" include "were focused on", "were concentrated on", "revolved around", or "were primarily about". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "were centered on" formal or informal?

The phrase "were centered on" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in academic papers, news articles, and general writing.