exerting pressure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exerting pressure" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means applying force or influence to achieve a certain result. Example: The government is exerting pressure on the company to improve working conditions for its employees.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

U.S. exerting pressure.

The New York Times

"It is progressing, and we've been exerting pressure on Delcon".

The New York Times

Can it be a way of exerting pressure?

The Guardian

"We need to talk about ways of exerting pressure.

Independent

For us, it was a way of exerting pressure [on them]," one told police.

The Guardian

"But don't expect us to deliver the Palestinians without exerting pressure on Sharon and the Israelis".

The New York Times

Then, one or other partner starts exerting pressure for a formalised commitment.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It had happened even before the match with their manager, exerting pressure on the referee.

The Guardian - Sport

In that sense, the Republicans' attempt at exerting pressure seemed doomed to fail.

The New York Times

"There were innumerable other possibilities for exerting pressure which resulted in nothing.

The New York Times - Magazine

The report said there was a culture of exerting pressure to meet short-term profit targets.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotations of "exerting pressure", as it can imply a forceful or even aggressive approach. Choose alternative phrasing if a more subtle approach is intended.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "exerting pressure" in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "applying influence", "bringing to bear", or "imposing upon" to maintain reader engagement and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exerting pressure" functions as a verbal phrase often used to describe the act of applying force or influence to someone or something. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples show it being used to describe political, economic, and social forces.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exerting pressure" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verbal phrase that describes the act of applying force or influence. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage. It appears most often in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for objective reporting. Related phrases include "applying coercion" and "bringing influence to bear". When using this phrase, it's important to specify the target of the pressure and the desired outcome for clarity, and to vary your language to avoid overuse. According to Ludwig, the phrase can be used in many contexts such as in scientific and formal context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bringing pressure to

Represents a structurally altered version with minimal semantic shift.

bringing to bear pressure

Inverts the structure while maintaining the core meaning.

bringing influence to bear

Highlights the use of indirect power to achieve a result.

applying coercion

Emphasizes the use of force to compel someone to act.

applying leverage

Highlights the use of a strategic advantage to exert influence.

wielding influence

Implies a skillful and strategic application of power.

leveraging influence

Focuses on using influence as a tool to gain an advantage.

putting the squeeze on

Uses an informal, idiomatic expression for applying pressure.

imposing upon

Suggests a burden or unwelcome pressure being applied.

pressing

Simplifies the phrase to a single verb, indicating the act of applying pressure.

FAQs

How can I use "exerting pressure" in a sentence?

You can use "exerting pressure" to describe an action of influence. For example, "The company is "exerting pressure" on its suppliers to lower prices."

What are some alternatives to "exerting pressure"?

Alternatives include "applying influence", "bringing to bear", or "imposing upon", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "exerting a pressure" instead of "exerting pressure"?

While grammatically understandable, "exerting a pressure" is less common. "Exerting pressure" is the more standard and natural phrasing.

What is the difference between "exerting pressure" and "applying pressure"?

While very similar, "exerting pressure" often implies a more deliberate and potentially forceful action, whereas "applying pressure" can be a more general or neutral term.