Center On or Center Around?

The term center around is often frowned upon for being illogical. However, through common usage, it has become an accepted idiom.
Nevertheless, in formal writing, it is best to play it safe and use center on.

Center On or Center Around?

The term center around is illogical because the two words conflict with each other. (It is an oxymoron.) However, through common usage, center around has become an idiom meaning to make something a point of focus. It has probably developed from people taking elements from the terms revolve around and center on, both of which are logically sound themselves.

In formal writing, it is best to avoid the term center around and use an alternative such as center on or focus on.

Examples:
AVOID CENTER AROUND IN FORMAL WRITING

Use center on, revolve around, or focus on in formal writing to avoid looking sloppy.



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See Also

What are idioms? List of easily confused words