exert energy

USAGE SUMMARY

'exert energy' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the physical or mental effort someone puts into a task or activity. For example: "John exerted a huge amount of energy in order to pass his exams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

This, in turn, lowers the risk of overheating, allowing you to exert energy longer.

Columbia University

"We're trying to get them to exert energy, to get it all out," she said.

The New York Times

The disease disrupts the bats' hibernation, causing them to wake up in winter, exert energy looking for food, and, in time, starve.

The New Yorker

The attitude of many government officials, he said, has been "why bother to spend money and exert energy to strengthen what we have if it's going away anyway".

The New York Times

In those experiments, they simulated a common situation: A vessel is traveling straight ahead, but the oncoming current is approaching at an angle, so the vessel must exert energy to offset that force.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The air is thin and dry, making it difficult to breathe and exert energy.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Since laughing or exerting energy causes bad coughing spells, I rarely laugh or exercise.

Harvard University

Because the hens aren't moving, they're not exerting energy on much other than producing eggs.

The Guardian

All I can say is that I haven't had a proposition that would tempt me back into the English theatre and I don't feel like exerting energy on seeking one".

The Guardian

When you jump, you are exerting energy, by running and pushing off the ground, to raise as high as possible not simply your body but your center of gravity.

The New Yorker

Instead of exerting energy to gently speak around a subject, we find it more effective to confront the conversation head-on.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing activities that require significant physical or mental output, use "exert energy" to emphasize the active and intentional use of one's capabilities. For example, "The athlete had to exert a lot of energy to complete the marathon."

Common error

Don't use "exert energy" in unnecessarily passive constructions. Instead of saying "Energy was exerted by the team", say "The team exerted energy". This creates a clearer and more impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exert energy" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "exert" is the verb and "energy" is the direct object. It describes the action of applying or using energy to accomplish something. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exert energy" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes the application of effort, either physical or mental, towards a specific goal. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for written English and can be used to refer to the effort someone puts into a task. While not extremely common, it appears in reputable sources such as The New York Times and Forbes, primarily in news, academic, and scientific contexts. When writing, it's best to use active voice constructions and be mindful of the subtle nuances in meaning compared to alternatives like "expend energy" or "apply effort".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expend energy

Highlights the spending or using up of energy, differing from the initial application or exertion.

apply effort

Focuses on the application of effort, lacking the direct association with energy.

channel energy

Suggests directing energy toward a specific purpose, implying control and focus.

put forth effort

Emphasizes the act of presenting or offering effort.

devote effort

Implies dedication and commitment of effort, changing the sense of direct application.

invest energy

Conveys the idea of putting energy into something with the expectation of a return, shifting the focus to investment.

make an effort

This is a more general expression for trying, which may or may not involve significant energy.

put in work

Emphasizes the labor aspect, which can be either physical or mental, but lacks the direct energy connotation.

exercise power

Shifts the focus from energy to the application of power or authority.

apply force

Highlights the use of physical strength or coercion, losing the general sense of effort.

FAQs

How can I use "exert energy" in a sentence?

You can use "exert energy" to describe the application of effort to achieve a specific task or goal. For instance, "The students had to exert a lot of energy to finish the project on time."

What are some alternatives to "exert energy"?

Alternatives include "apply effort", "expend energy", or "put forth effort", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "exert energy"?

Yes, "exert energy" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe the use of physical or mental effort.

What's the difference between "exert energy" and "expend energy"?

"Exert energy" emphasizes the active application of effort, while "expend energy" focuses on the consumption or using up of energy reserves.