exert no effort

USAGE SUMMARY

"exert no effort" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to not put any physical or mental energy into something. It can be used in a variety of contexts where someone is choosing not to put in any effort. Example: The student exerted no effort in completing his homework and received a failing grade. This phrase can also be used in a motivational or inspirational context, encouraging someone to not give up and put in their best effort. Example: Despite facing many obstacles, the athletes exerted no effort in their training and went on to win the championship.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The Village Voice cultural critic Jill Johnston, who died on Sept. 18, described her in 1966 as "one of an almost zero number who can make 'dance' movement unconventional by seeming to exert no effort in letting it come alive".

The New York Times

If we increase school qualitythen the bad fails continue to exert no effort and fail, the marginal fails increasetheir effort (the level given in (10) with the new level of s) and passstudents reduce their effort and still pass.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

However, perverse equilibria may exist in which the highest value players completely free-ride on others by exerting no effort.

Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization

As we've seen over the last year or so, however, it appears to have exerted almost no effort at all in enforcing this policy, as hundreds (potentially thousands) of apps were plainly and seemingly proudly violating the terms by sharing data sets gleaned from Facebook users.

TechCrunch

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

WikiHow

Let me reiterate: I, an individual with no previous worldwide recognition save for a frontpage Reddit post, managed to alter the behavior of people in Russia, Japan, Uzbekistan, and Italy within the course of 24 hours, all from the comfort of my home while exerting next to no effort.

TechCrunch

Not once did he look as if he was exerting any effort.

The New York Times - Sports

Experiment 1 shows that subjects exert high effort even if there are no monetary incentives, suggesting that non-monetary incentives are contributing to their effort choices.

European Economic Review

This is so because to exert effort is no longer necessary to preserve the skill level across individuals belonging to the same dynasty.

SERIEs

They play selflessly, pass the ball willingly, exert relentless effort on defense.

The New York Times - Sports

It's all about being able to exert maximum effort and not overheat.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exert no effort" to describe a deliberate choice not to apply oneself, or to highlight a surprising lack of visible strain in a performance.

Common error

Avoid using "exert no effort" when describing situations where someone is genuinely unable to act due to limitations. This phrase implies a conscious decision, not an inability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exert no effort" typically functions as a verb phrase, often used as a predicate to describe the subject's lack of application or energy in a specific situation. Ludwig AI suggests that the phrase is correct and well-understood.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exert no effort" is grammatically correct and signifies a deliberate absence of physical or mental energy. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and understandability. While relatively rare, the phrase appears across diverse contexts including news, science, and general writing. Semantically related phrases include "make no attempt" and "show no initiative". When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a conscious choice not to act, rather than an inability to do so. The most authoritative sources using this phrase are The New York Times and TechCrunch.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make no attempt

Indicates a complete lack of trying, similar to exerting no effort.

put forth no energy

Highlights the absence of expended energy, physically or mentally.

show no initiative

Focuses on a lack of proactive behavior or drive.

display no exertion

Emphasizes the visible absence of strain or effort.

offer no resistance

Implies a passive acceptance, without any opposing force.

take it easy

Suggests a relaxed approach, avoiding strenuous activity.

remain idle

Highlights inactivity and a lack of engagement.

not lift a finger

An idiomatic expression indicating a complete lack of assistance or effort.

do nothing

A straightforward expression of inactivity and lack of effort.

slack off

Suggests a reduction in effort or diligence.

FAQs

What does "exert no effort" mean?

The phrase "exert no effort" means to not put any physical or mental energy into something. It implies a conscious decision to abstain from applying oneself.

How can I use "exert no effort" in a sentence?

You might say, "The magician seemed to "exert no effort" while performing the complex trick, making it even more impressive." or "The student chose to "exert no effort" on the final exam, resulting in a failing grade."

What are some alternatives to "exert no effort"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "make no attempt", "put forth no energy", or "show no initiative".

Is it better to say "exert no effort" or "make no effort"?

Both "exert no effort" and "make no effort" are grammatically correct and understandable. "Exert no effort" implies a lack of physical or mental exertion, while "make no effort" is a more general term for a lack of trying.