exert oneself to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exert oneself to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when encouraging someone to make an effort or to apply themselves towards a specific task or goal. Example: "In order to achieve your dreams, you must be willing to exert yourself to overcome the challenges ahead."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

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

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

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

There is no harm in exerting oneself.

BMC Health Services Research

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

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

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

With this risk one also exposes oneself to luck.

The New Yorker

How does one explain oneself to the neighbors, after all?

The New York Times

To do otherwise is to expose oneself to emasculating ridicule.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exert oneself to", ensure the context clearly indicates a specific goal or purpose towards which effort is being directed. For example, "exert oneself to understand a complex concept".

Common error

Avoid using "exert oneself to" in overly casual contexts where simpler phrases like "try to" or "make an effort to" would be more appropriate. The phrase carries a degree of formality and intensity that may not always be necessary.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "exert oneself to" is to act as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose or intention. It signifies a deliberate and often strenuous effort directed towards achieving a specific objective, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exert oneself to" signifies a strong commitment and dedicated action towards a specific goal. Ludwig AI confirms that it functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. While grammatically correct and usable, it's relatively rare. The phrase can appear in various contexts from Wiki to Scientific publications and News & Media. When choosing alternatives, consider the nuance you want to convey, whether it's simply making an effort or showing a sustained determination. Remember that "exert oneself to" carries a level of formality that might not always be necessary in casual communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make an effort to

Focuses on the act of trying without necessarily implying a significant level of difficulty or strain.

strive to

Emphasizes a sustained effort and determination to achieve something.

endeavor to

Implies a more formal and earnest attempt.

try hard to

Highlights the intensity and dedication of the effort.

dedicate oneself to

Focuses on committing time and energy to a specific purpose.

apply oneself to

Suggests focusing one's skills and abilities on a task.

devote oneself to

Implies a deep commitment and passion for a particular goal.

commit oneself to

Focuses on making a firm decision to pursue a particular course of action.

go to great lengths to

Emphasizes the extent and intensity of the effort involved.

spare no effort to

Suggests that one is willing to do anything to achieve their goal.

FAQs

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

Use "exert oneself to" when you want to express that someone is putting in a significant amount of effort or energy to achieve a specific goal. For instance, "One must "make an effort to" learn new skills in order to succeed in today's competitive job market."

What are some alternatives to "exert oneself to"?

You can use phrases like "strive to", ""make an effort to"", or "try hard to" as alternatives to "exert oneself to", depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "exert oneself to" a formal expression?

Yes, "exert oneself to" is considered a more formal expression. In less formal contexts, simpler alternatives like "try to" or "make an effort to" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "exert oneself to" and "try to"?

"Exert oneself to" implies a greater degree of effort and determination than simply "try to". While "try to" suggests a general attempt, "exert oneself to" suggests a significant investment of energy and focus.