exert an effort

USAGE SUMMARY

"exert an effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used to express the idea of putting in effort to accomplish something, as in the sentence "We must all exert an effort to reach our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Still, though, it seems plausible that a beneficiary who never acts gratefully from natural inclination, and must always exert an effort of will, almost certainly falls short of gratitude, regardless of whether he acts for the right reasons.

SEP

On this view, a beneficiary who has to deliberate about whether to act gratefully, and then exert an effort of will to act on the outcome of his deliberation, falls short of gratitude.

SEP

By the same token, a beneficiary who merely has the natural inclination to act gratefully, but is not prepared to exert an effort of will to ensure grateful action when first-order inclinations fail, might not instantiate fullest gratitude, but what we might call "fair-weather gratitude".

SEP

It shows that the extent of alignment between a health worker's personal goals and those of their workplace has an effect on an individual's willingness to exert an effort at work (1).

Global Health Action

defer.add img); Choose workouts that require your entire body to exert an effort.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But exerting an effort of will in such cases need not be inconsistent with being grateful, just as exerting an effort of will to help a friend under similar circumstances would not make one a bad friend.

SEP

Moral obligations, however, are supposed to be the sorts of things we can fulfill even if natural inclination is lacking, by exerting an effort of will.

SEP

Insofar as acts of gratitude must be done from natural inclination, the argument goes, such acts cannot be done by exerting an effort of will, and thus cannot be morally obligatory (Card 1988; Wellman 1999b).

SEP

For example, taking stock of the available datasets and exerting an effort to make what is available, or at least part of it, public (or simplifying the process of gaining access to the raw data).

BMC Health Services Research

Each firm in the simple sector consists of one individual who exerts (a) effort levels.

IZA Journal of Migration

The breeding and foal fees are lower for the FH which may also exert an effect on the efforts to get a foal.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exert an effort", ensure the context clearly indicates the purpose or goal toward which the effort is directed. This provides clarity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "exert an effort" can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "try" or "make an attempt" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exert an effort" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of applying oneself or putting forth energy towards a specific task or goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically correct construction.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exert an effort" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe the action of applying oneself with energy and determination. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's a correct and usable phrase. While "exert an effort" appears less frequently compared to alternatives like "make an effort", it carries a slightly more formal tone and suggests a more forceful application of energy. Its usage spans across various contexts, particularly in scientific, news, and general discussions. When choosing this phrase, writers should consider the formality of their context and ensure clarity regarding the intended goal of the effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apply oneself

Emphasizes dedication and focus in one's actions.

make an attempt

Similar in meaning, but focuses on the act of trying, not necessarily the intensity of the effort.

dedicate energy

Focuses on the allocation of one's energy towards a specific purpose.

put in the work

Informal way to express dedicating time and energy to a task.

invest time and energy

Highlights the investment aspect of effort, suggesting a return or outcome is expected.

strive

Highlights the ambition and determination behind the effort.

endeavor

A more formal and deliberate approach to making an effort.

commit resources

Focuses on allocating resources, which can include time, energy, and materials.

make a contribution

Focuses on the positive impact of the effort, emphasizing the value added.

take action

Broader term implying any sort of effort, though not as specific.

FAQs

How can I use "exert an effort" in a sentence?

You can use "exert an effort" to describe the act of applying oneself to a task. For example, "We must all "exert an effort" to reach our goals" or "The company needs to "exert an effort" to improve customer satisfaction".

What are some alternatives to "exert an effort"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "make an attempt", "put in the work", or "apply oneself".

Is "exert an effort" formal or informal?

"Exert an effort" is generally considered more formal. In informal contexts, consider using simpler phrases like "try" or "make an attempt".

What is the difference between "exert an effort" and "make an effort"?

While similar, "exert an effort" often implies a more significant or forceful application of energy compared to simply "make an effort". "Exert" suggests a more deliberate and intensive application of force or energy.