exercises
exercises — noun
1. Physical movements or activities that people do to keep their bodies healthy and
Physical movements or activities that people do to keep their bodies healthy and strong.
Linh does stretching exercises every morning before breakfast.
do + exercises collocation
The doctor told Michael that gentle exercise would help his knee get better.
Walking and swimming are both excellent forms of exercise.
Hui's personal trainer showed her some new back exercises to try at home.
After months without exercise, Marta found the first session very tiring.
- physical activity
broader term that includes any body movement, not just planned exercise
- workout
more informal; refers to a single session of intense exercise
- training
suggests structured, goal-oriented physical preparation
- inactivity
lack of physical movement or exercise
- rest
period of not moving; recovery from exercise
文法句型
do/take + exercises
form of exercise
常見錯誤
2. A piece of written or practical work designed to help someone learn or practice
A piece of written or practical work designed to help someone learn or practice a particular skill.
The teacher gave the class some grammar exercises to finish over the weekend.
grammar / math / spelling exercises collocation
Nikhil finished all the math exercises in the textbook before the test.
Mizuki practiced the piano exercises until her fingers began to ache.
The soldiers completed training exercises in the forest to prepare for deployment.
- drill
repetitive practice focused on accuracy and speed
- assignment
broader; any task set by a teacher, not always for skill repetition
文法句型
do + exercises
exercise(s) + in/on [subject]
用法筆記
Often appears with a subject area before it: grammar exercises, spelling exercises, math exercises, piano exercises.
常見錯誤
3. The situation where a power, right, or personal quality is put to use in a real
The situation where a power, right, or personal quality is put to use in a real context, rather than simply being available.
The right to free speech is an important exercise of democracy.
exercise of + [right/power/authority]
Gabriela found that running a small shop was a daily exercise in patience.
an exercise in + [quality]
The court ruled that the decision was a proper exercise of legal authority.
For Bilal, baking sourdough bread became a calming exercise in careful timing.
- use
simpler and more general; lacks the formal tone of 'exercise'
- application
emphasises the practical side of putting something into action
- display
suggests a visible showing of a quality
文法句型
an exercise in + [abstract noun]
exercise + of + [right/quality]
用法筆記
In this sense, 'exercise' is usually singular and followed by 'of' (a right/quality) or is part of the pattern 'an exercise in [quality]'.
4. The performance or carrying out of a particular job, role, or official function.
The performance or carrying out of a particular job, role, or official function.
The minister's exercise of her official duties came under public scrutiny.
exercise of duties collocation
The committee oversees the exercise of presidential power during emergencies.
A judge must remain impartial in the exercise of judicial authority.
The board questioned the CEO's exercise of her decision-making power.
- discharge
more formal; often used for completing responsibilities
- performance
focuses on how well the duty is done
- fulfillment
suggests meeting all requirements of a role
- neglect
failure to carry out one's duties
文法句型
exercise + of + [official role/duty]
用法筆記
Frequently used in formal or legal contexts describing someone in an official position. The subject of the 'of' phrase is typically a role or function (duties, power, authority).
5. The act of using a right written into a legal agreement, such as the right to bu
The act of using a right written into a legal agreement, such as the right to buy, sell, or renew something at a particular price or time.
The investor made an early exercise of her stock options before the price rose.
exercise of [stock] options legal collocation
Nikhil's lawyer advised against the exercise of the buyout clause in the contract.
The contract allows for the exercise of the renewal option within thirty days.
Gabriela reviewed the fine print before the exercise of the warranty claim.
- implementation
broader; refers to carrying out any part of an agreement
- execution
formal; often used in legal documents for signing or enacting
- waiver
voluntary giving up of a legal right
文法句型
exercise + of + [option/clause/right]
用法筆記
Nearly always used in legal, financial, or contractual settings. Common objects include 'option', 'clause', 'right', 'warrant'. The sense is essentially 'to act on a written right'.
6. A formal public event that includes speeches, announcements, and traditional act
A formal public event that includes speeches, announcements, and traditional activities, often held at a school or college.
Graduation exercises at the university begin with a speech by the president.
graduation / commencement exercises typical usage
The opening exercises for the conference included a traditional dance performance.
Shirin attended the commencement exercises at her daughter's high school.
Award exercises are held every spring in the main hall of the college.
- ceremony
more general; can be used in any English variety
- commencement
specifically a school or college graduation event
文法句型
[type of] exercises
exercises + [verb]
用法筆記
Chiefly American English. The word is always plural ('exercises') when used in this sense. Common collocations are 'graduation exercises' and 'commencement exercises'.
7. An activity that is done mainly for a hidden or secondary reason, rather than fo
An activity that is done mainly for a hidden or secondary reason, rather than for its obvious purpose.
The charity dinner was an exercise in public relations rather than genuine giving.
an exercise in [ulterior goal] pattern
What seemed like a friendly visit was really an exercise in gathering company secrets.
The mayor's walk through the market was an exercise in winning votes before the election.
The team-building weekend felt more like an exercise in management control than real cooperation.
- display
neutral; does not carry the negative connotation of ulterior motive
- performance
can imply insincerity but broader in meaning
文法句型
an exercise in + [noun]
an exercise in [hidden goal]
用法筆記
Carries a critical or skeptical tone. The hidden purpose is often negative — manipulation, self-promotion, or control. Distinguish from sense 3 which describes a neutral or positive quality being displayed.
exercises — verb
- exercisespresent simple I / you / we / they
- exerciseses3rd person singular
- exercisesing-ing form
- exercisesedpast simple
1. To move your body in order to stay healthy or become stronger.
To move your body in order to stay healthy or become stronger.
Marta exercises at the gym three times a week.
exercise + at [location] pattern
The doctor says it is important to exercise regularly to keep your heart healthy.
The children need to exercise more instead of watching television all day.
Esme exercises her dog by taking it for a long walk every evening.
- rest
to stop moving and recover energy
- sit around
informal; to be inactive
文法句型
exercise + [preposition/adverb]
用法筆記
Most often intransitive (no object). When used transitively, the object is an animal, a body part, or a group of people under one's care.
常見錯誤
2. To use a part of your body, your mind, or a skill repeatedly so that it becomes
To use a part of your body, your mind, or a skill repeatedly so that it becomes stronger or more capable.
Kemi exercises her memory by memorizing a short poem every week.
exercise + [mental faculty] for training
Adisa exercises his vocal cords by singing scales each morning.
Linh exercises her Italian by chatting with native speakers online.
The coach had the team exercise their passing drills before the match.
Shirin exercises her fingers by playing the piano for thirty minutes each day.
文法句型
exercise + [body part / skill / faculty]
用法筆記
The object is something that can be strengthened through repetition — a muscle, a mental ability, a language skill, or a specific technique.
3. To use a right, power, or personal quality in an active, deliberate way.
To use a right, power, or personal quality in an active, deliberate way.
Citizens should exercise their right to vote in every election.
exercise + right / authority / power
The manager exercised her authority to change the weekly work schedule.
Michael exercised great care when driving on the icy mountain roads.
Zayd exercised his power of veto on the committee's spending proposal.
文法句型
exercise + [right/power/authority/care/caution/patience]
用法筆記
The object is an abstract noun describing a power, right, or quality. This is the sense used in formal statements about civic rights, professional authority, and personal virtues.
常見錯誤
4. To make use of a legal right, option, or clause that is written into a contract
To make use of a legal right, option, or clause that is written into a contract or agreement.
Samir decided to exercise the option to buy the house before the offer expired.
exercise + option / clause / right legal pattern
The company exercised its contractual right to terminate the partnership agreement.
Hui exercised the buyback clause in her publishing contract after strong sales.
The tenant exercised the renewal option on the lease for another twelve months.
- waive
voluntarily give up a legal right
文法句型
exercise + [option/clause/right]
用法筆記
Nearly identical to noun sense 5; this is the verb form of that same legal concept. The object is always a specific contractual right (option, clause, warrant).
5. If something exercises you, it worries you, occupies your thoughts, or causes yo
If something exercises you, it worries you, occupies your thoughts, or causes you to feel concerned.
The question of where to send her son to school exercised Marta's mind for weeks.
exercise + [sb's] mind / thoughts
The board was exercised by concerns about falling profits across the region.
passive: be exercised by/about [worries]
The sudden change in travel policy exercised the entire office staff.
Eitan was exercised about the safety of the old wiring in the apartment building.
文法句型
be exercised by/about/over + [concern]
[concern] exercises + [person]
用法筆記
Often used in the passive voice ('be exercised by / about / over'). The subject of the active verb is the source of worry; the object is the person affected — the reverse of most other verb senses.