which centered on

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

A little emotional back story: Craig's mansion of woes had many rooms, one of which centered on his amorous relationship with a certain retired pediatrician named Jim.

The New York Times - Food

The funds could still be asked to produce documents beyond those in the initial request, which centered on activities in June 2008, one of the two people said.

The New York Times

In a speech last week, Mr. Blankfein criticized one of the other new rules, which centered on visas issued by banks for foreign workers.

The New York Times

Oslo II, which centered on question of the West Bank, was more difficult to negotiate.

The New Yorker

Where Sullivan sees progress, critics cite controversy, which centered on the athletes' village.

The New York Times - Sports

Prince Lowenstein's manner (which centered on the remark "Exactly") indicated that they were operating from a useful temporary understanding.

The New Yorker

Several people who attended the meetings detailed difficult discussions which centered on the final hour of Mrs. Smart's life.

The New York Times

Prince Lowenstein's manner (which centered on the remark 'Exactly') indicated that they were operating from a temporarily useful understanding".

The New Yorker

The base was the source of two previous uprisings, in 2001 and 2004, which centered on complaints about living conditions.

The New York Times

Shapiro presented a twenty-minute short that she'd made, "Sequin Raze," which centered on a reality-show producer.

The New Yorker

Diederich told war stories, most of which centered on how much he and Greene liked to drink.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which centered on" to clearly define the core subject or theme when providing context or background information in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "which centered on" to describe people. It's more appropriate for topics, themes, or discussions rather than individuals. For example, don't say 'The article, which centered on John, was interesting.' Instead, say 'The article, "which focused on" John, was interesting'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which centered on" functions as a relative clause, introducing additional information about a noun. It specifies the main topic, focus, or theme. Ludwig confirms its correct usage. For example, 'The discussion, which centered on climate change...' provides added detail about the discussion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which centered on" functions as a relative clause used to specify the main topic or focus. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts, primarily in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. While versatile, it is best suited for describing topics and themes rather than people. Alternatives like ""which focused on"" and "which revolved around" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. This phrase is suitable for neutral to formal writing, making it a valuable tool for clear and precise communication. Avoid using it to describe people instead of the subject itself.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that focused on

Replaces "centered on" with "focused on", maintaining a similar meaning of emphasis or concentration.

that revolved around

Uses "revolved around" to suggest that something was the main point or subject of discussion or activity.

that concentrated on

Emphasizes a strong focus or concentration on a specific topic.

that concerned

Indicates that something related to or had to do with a particular topic.

that was about

A more informal and direct way of indicating the subject matter.

that hinged on

Suggests that the outcome or result depended on a particular point or issue.

which had its basis in

Indicates that something was fundamentally based or grounded in something else.

which was predicated on

More formal indicating something is based or dependent on something else.

that dwelled on

Implies a prolonged or significant focus on a specific subject.

that targeted

Indicates that something was specifically aimed at a particular subject or goal.

FAQs

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

Use "which centered on" to introduce a clause that specifies the main topic or focus of something. For example, "The discussion, "which centered on" climate change, was very informative."

What are some alternatives to "which centered on"?

You can use alternatives like ""which focused on"", "which revolved around", or "which concentrated on" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "which centered on" in formal writing?

Yes, "which centered on" is suitable for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to indicate the main topic or subject of something. However, consider alternatives like "that focused on" for variety.

Can "which centered on" be used to describe people?

It's generally better to avoid using "which centered on" to describe people. Use it to describe topics, themes, or discussions. For example, instead of "The story, which centered on her, was compelling", try "The story, "which focused on" her, was compelling".