exercised

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "exercised" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the act of putting something into action, such as a right, power, or skill. Example: "She exercised her right to vote in the election." Alternative expressions include "utilized" and "employed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Sinn Féin and the SDLP exercised a veto known as the "petition of concern" where bills can be defeated if one side of the sectarian/political divide claims there is insufficient cross-community support for the law.

The Guardian

He believes that this policy, exercised intelligently, could reduce black-on-black killings, and David Blunkett seems to agree.

The Guardian

The twin dominating characters in that organisation were McGuinness and Adams, who exercised almost full control of their membership.

The Guardian

SH When I was a child, people were much exercised by hangings.

The Guardian - Film

All the papers agree that Jenkins was a rare politician in that he had exercised influence up to the very end of his life.

The Guardian

"Even if we are wrong and there is a duty that has not been fulfilled... the court can not say [this duty] must be exercised [in a particular way]," he said.

The Guardian

At UWA and elsewhere, academics, students and campaigners exercised their academic freedom and their freedom of speech to voice their concerns.

The Guardian

They argued that in passing the legislation the NSW parliament had exercised judicial powers it did not have under the constitution.

The Guardian

According to the PDSA, the causes of pet obesity are fairly straightforward: pets are being fed too much and exercised too little.

The Guardian

Among those who exercised vigorously – defined as hard training several times a week – the lifespan was as much as five years longer than among those who were sedentary.

The Guardian

Prior to the revelation of clerical child abuse and that bishops were fathering children in secret, the church exercised enormous political influence on the major parties.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about rights or powers, use "exercised" to indicate that the right or power was actively used. For instance, "The company exercised its option to renew the lease."

Common error

Avoid confusing "exercised", meaning to use or put into action, with "exorcised", which means to drive out an evil spirit. For example, it's incorrect to say "The demons were exercised from the house"; the correct word is "exorcised".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "exercised" is as the past tense and past participle of the verb "exercise". It indicates that an action of using or applying something (like a right, power, or skill) has been completed. As Ludwig AI points out, it is widely used across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exercised" is the past tense and past participle of "exercise", commonly used to describe the act of using a right, power, or skill. Ludwig AI shows that the phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in diverse contexts such as News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. When using "exercised", ensure it is not confused with "exorcised", and consider alternatives like "utilized", "implemented", or "applied" depending on the desired nuance. The prevalence of "exercised" in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist underscores its widespread acceptance and proper usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utilized

Focuses on making practical and effective use of something.

employed

Highlights using something as a means to an end.

implemented

Emphasizes putting a plan or system into effect.

applied

Highlights the act of putting something to a specific purpose or task.

exerted

Stresses the application of effort or influence.

wielded

Implies control and effective use of power or authority.

enforced

Focuses on compelling obedience to a law or rule.

brought to bear

Emphasizes the application of influence or pressure.

practiced

Focuses on repeated performance to gain proficiency.

effected

Highlights bringing about a result.

FAQs

How do you use "exercised" in a sentence?

You can use "exercised" to describe the act of using a right, power, or skill, such as in the sentence, "She "exercised her right" to remain silent".

What can I say instead of "exercised"?

You can use alternatives like "utilized", "implemented", or "applied" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say 'exercised his authority' or 'exerted his authority'?

While both can be used, "exercised his authority" typically implies a formal or legitimate use of power, whereas "exerted his authority" might suggest a more forceful or influential application.

What is the difference between 'exercised caution' and 'practiced caution'?

"Exercised caution" means to have used care and prudence in a particular situation. "Practiced caution" suggests that someone regularly or habitually acts cautiously.