What does exert mean?
Word: Exert
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Exert means to use strength, effort or power in order to make something happen.
How do you spell exert?
Syllables: ex - ert
Tricky part: The vowel sound in the second syllable can be spelt several ways, so pupils try exirt or exurt. Here it is er.
Watch out for: exirt, exurt, egzert
Memory tip: Exert your strength to help her: both words spell that sound er.
Exert in a sentence
Example 1: Do not exert yourself too much on the first day of the trek.
Example 2: She had to exert real effort to open the rusty gate.
Example 3: A magnet can exert a pull on a paper clip from a little distance.
Fun Fact
Stand on the floor and physics says the floor is exerting an upward push on you, exactly equal to your weight.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Only one word in the list is spelt correctly. Choose its meaning:
1. exert 2. persevear 3. accelarate 4. endevour
a) try very hard to do something
b) keep going in spite of difficulties
c) bring a force or effort to bear on something
d) begin to move faster
Show answer
c) bring a force or effort to bear on something. Exert is the correct one; endeavour, persevere and accelerate are misspelt.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word exert as used in the sentence:
Rowers must exert all their strength in the last stretch of the race.
a) praise
b) apply
c) waste
d) hide
Show answer
b) apply. To apply strength is to put it to work, as the rowers do.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the word in the sentence and choose it:
Heavy waves rteex steady pressure on the harbour wall every winter.
a) exist
b) exact
c) exert
d) expert
Show answer
c) exert. There is no p, i or a in the scramble, which rules out the other three.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
exertt
a) r
b) e
c) x
d) t
Show answer
d) t. The word closes with a single t.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which action shows a person exerting force?
a) reading a book in the garden
b) pushing hard on a stuck door
c) waiting quietly for a bus
d) watching birds from a window
Show answer
b) pushing hard on a stuck door
2. Which noun most naturally follows exert in a sentence?
a) weather
b) influence
c) colour
d) breakfast
Show answer
b) influence
