exert oneself

USAGE SUMMARY

"exert oneself" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express the idea of doing something with great effort or energy. For example, "Although the task seemed daunting, Mary was determined to exert herself and complete it in time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Modesty consists in an awareness of the perspective of others and a readiness to curtail one's own unseemly behavior; love of humanity is a willingness to exert oneself on others' behalf.

SEP

The proportion of variation due to disease/treatment heterogeneity was high and significant for the scales that measured ability to exert oneself, anginal frequency and perception of disease (ECS, AFS and DPS, I2 all equal to 87%), but was lower for angina severity (ASS) (Table 3).

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

The two main manifestations of love are as a hunger for the presence of a person or thing and as a willingness to exert oneself to help someone.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

When I hear the term "hard-working", I feel the urge to make the case for laziness, or for exerting oneself no more than moderately.

The Guardian - Opinion

The process, whereby rational efforts are made by the jurist to arrive at an appropriate ruling, when applied is called ijtihad (literally meaning "exerting oneself").

Wikipedia

From carrying heavy items to exerting oneself playing a game, people who are not used to exercising and have risk factors for heart disease, are at an increased risk.

Huffington Post

There is no harm in exerting oneself.

BMC Health Services Research

That mastery is bound up with the idea that food refusal is a telling example of exerting control over oneself, one's companions, and one's surroundings.

Johns Hopkins University

In one way or another, they involve an avoidant action, one that exerts force away from oneself, as if pushing something away.

The New York Times

This is in large part because it is necessarily implied in willing motion of a certain sort that one exert dominion that one takes oneself to have (E2-5 II.xxi.15: 241), thet "the mind [endeavor] to give rise…to [the motion], which it takes to be in its power" (E2-5 II.xxi.30: 250).

SEP

The more central the issue is to oneself, the greater pressure one exerts on the partner to change.

Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the specific nuance you want to convey: "exert oneself" implies a conscious decision to apply significant effort, potentially overcoming challenges.

Common error

Avoid using "exert oneself" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "try hard" or "make an effort" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exert oneself" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of making a determined or strenuous effort. It often carries a sense of conscious and deliberate application of energy or ability as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exert oneself" is a verb phrase denoting the action of making a significant effort. While grammatically correct, as affirmed by Ludwig, it's relatively rare and leans towards formal usage. Consider simpler alternatives in informal contexts. When using this phrase, emphasize the conscious and deliberate application of energy toward a specific goal. Remember that while generally correct, overuse in casual settings may sound unnatural.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make an effort

This alternative is a more common and less intense way of saying "exert oneself".

apply oneself

This alternative suggests focusing one's energy and attention on a task.

put in effort

This alternative is more general and emphasizes the act of applying effort.

push oneself

This alternative emphasizes the act of challenging one's own limits.

try hard

This alternative is more direct and focuses on the intensity of the effort.

strive

This alternative emphasizes the act of making great efforts to achieve or obtain something.

strain

This alternative implies the use of maximum effort, sometimes to the point of difficulty or injury.

endeavor

This alternative is more formal and suggests a serious attempt or effort.

tax oneself

This alternative indicates putting a heavy burden or demand on one's resources or abilities.

go the extra mile

This alternative is idiomatic and emphasizes exceeding expectations through extra effort.

FAQs

What does "exert oneself" mean?

The phrase "exert oneself" means to make a significant effort, often involving energy or force, in order to achieve something. It implies a conscious decision to apply oneself diligently to a task.

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

You can use "exert oneself" to describe someone making a determined effort. For example, "Despite the difficulties, she decided to "make an effort" and "exert herself" to finish the project on time."

What are some synonyms for "exert oneself"?

Synonyms for "exert oneself" include "try hard", "make an effort", "strive", and "endeavor". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "exert oneself" formal or informal?

"Exert oneself" is generally considered a more formal expression. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "put in effort" or "try hard" might be more suitable.