---
title: exert — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «exert» in the school dictionary: To exert a force or pressure is to push, pull or press with it. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# exert

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** magnet, Gravity, you, weightlifter, Water, boy · **What happens:** exert, be, pull, press, affect, not exert · **To what, where:** force, yourself, influence, someone, skill, paper clip

<!-- .vabout -->
«exert» in the school dictionary: its 4 meanings for a pupil and its 8 examples, every sentence parsed by Mova itself — its syntax tree, a dependency tree in the style of Universal Dependencies, and its pragmatics clause by clause. The word in the dictionary, with its sense in the lessons: [exert in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/exert.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To exert a force or pressure is to push, pull or press with it.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:exert:m1:1
# text = To exert a force or pressure is to push, pull or press with it.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	exert	exert	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	9	advcl	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	force	force	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
6	pressure	pressure	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	conj	_	_
7	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	cop	_	_
8	to	to	PART	TO	_	9	mark	_	_
9	push	push	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
11	pull	pull	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	9	conj	_	_
12	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	13	cc	_	_
13	press	press	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	9	conj	_	_
14	with	with	ADP	IN	_	15	case	_	_
15	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	13	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	9	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **exert** | to-infinitive |  | a force or pressure |  |  |  |  | vn use-105.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent force=Theme |
| 2 | **is** | present |  |  |  |  |  | push *property* | tree rules |
| 3 | **pull** | infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn slide-11.2 «NP V»: agent=Theme |
| 4 | **press** | infinitive |  |  |  |  |  | with pressure | vn push-12-1-1 «NP V PP»: agent=Agent |

<!-- .note -->
One row per clause the reader finds. «not said here»: a role filled from the clause above. «roles by»: a VerbNet class and frame when one fits the verb, else the reader's rules on the tree.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To exert yourself is to make a big physical or mental effort.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:exert:m2:1
# text = To exert yourself is to make a big physical or mental effort.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	exert	exert	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	csubj	_	_
3	yourself	yourself	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Sing|Person=2|PronType=Prs|Reflex=Yes	2	obj	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	make	make	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
8	big	big	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	12	amod	_	_
9	physical	physical	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	12	amod	_	_
10	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	11	cc	_	_
11	mental	mental	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	conj	_	_
12	effort	effort	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **exert** | to-infinitive |  | yourself |  |  |  |  | vn use-105.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent yourself=Theme |
| 2 | **is** | present |  |  |  |  |  | make *property* | tree rules |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To exert influence or control is to use your power to affect someone or something.

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:exert:m3:1
# text = To exert influence or control is to use your power to affect someone or something.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	exert	exert	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	8	advcl	_	_
3	influence	influence	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
4	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	5	cc	_	_
5	control	control	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	conj	_	_
6	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	8	cop	_	_
7	to	to	PART	TO	_	8	mark	_	_
8	use	use	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
9	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	10	nmod:poss	_	_
10	power	power	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obj	_	_
11	to	to	PART	TO	_	12	mark	_	_
12	affect	affect	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	8	advcl	_	_
13	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	12	obj	_	_
14	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	15	cc	_	_
15	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	13	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	8	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **exert** | to-infinitive |  | influence or control |  |  |  |  | vn use-105.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent influence=Theme |
| 2 | **is** | present |  |  |  |  |  | use *property* | tree rules |
| 3 | **affect** | to-infinitive |  | someone |  |  |  |  | vn amuse-31.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Stimulus someone=Experiencer |

## Meaning 4 {#m4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To exert a skill or quality is to use it fully and with effort.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:exert:m4:1
# text = To exert a skill or quality is to use it fully and with effort.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	exert	exert	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	9	advcl	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	skill	skill	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
6	quality	quality	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	conj	_	_
7	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	cop	_	_
8	to	to	PART	TO	_	9	mark	_	_
9	use	use	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
10	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	9	obj	_	_
11	fully	fully	ADV	RB	_	9	advmod	_	_
12	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	14	cc	_	_
13	with	with	ADP	IN	_	14	case	_	_
14	effort	effort	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	9	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **exert** | to-infinitive |  | a skill or quality |  |  |  |  | vn use-105.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent skill=Theme |
| 2 | **is** | present |  |  |  |  |  | fully, use *property* | tree rules |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The magnet exerts a force on the paper clip.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:exert:x1:1
# text = The magnet exerts a force on the paper clip.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	magnet	magnet	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	exerts	exert	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	force	force	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	on	on	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	paper	paper	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	compound	_	_
9	clip	clip	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **exert** | present | the magnet | a force |  | the paper clip |  |  | vn use-105.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent force=Theme |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Gravity exerts a pull on everything with mass.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:exert:x2:1
# text = Gravity exerts a pull on everything with mass.
1	Gravity	gravity	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	exerts	exert	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	pull	pull	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	on	on	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	everything	everything	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Tot	2	obl	_	_
7	with	with	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	mass	mass	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **exert** | present | Gravity | a pull |  | everything |  |  | vn use-105.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent pull=Theme |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Don't exert yourself too much while you have a cold.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:exert:x3:1
# text = Don't exert yourself too much while you have a cold.
1	Do	do	AUX	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	n't	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	3	advmod	_	_
3	exert	exert	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	yourself	yourself	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Sing|Person=2|PronType=Prs|Reflex=Yes	3	obj	_	_
5	too	too	ADV	RB	_	6	advmod	_	_
6	much	much	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	obj	_	_
7	while	while	SCONJ	IN	_	9	mark	_	_
8	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	9	nsubj	_	_
9	have	have	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	advcl	_	_
10	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	cold	cold	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **exert** | imperative · do-support | you *not said here* | yourself |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **have** | present | you | a cold |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent cold=Patient |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The weightlifter exerted all his strength.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:exert:x4:1
# text = The weightlifter exerted all his strength.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	weightlifter	weightlifter	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	exerted	exert	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	all	all	DET	PDT	PronType=Tot	6	det:predet	_	_
5	his	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	6	nmod:poss	_	_
6	strength	strength	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **exert** | past | the weightlifter | weightlifter's strength |  |  |  |  | vn use-105.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent strength=Theme |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Water exerts pressure on the walls of the tank.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:exert:x5:1
# text = Water exerts pressure on the walls of the tank.
1	Water	water	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	exerts	exert	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	pressure	pressure	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
4	on	on	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	walls	wall	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obl	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	tank	tank	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **exert** | present | Water | pressure |  | the walls of the tank |  |  | vn use-105.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent pressure=Theme |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The boy exerts a force of 20 newtons on the trolley.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:exert:x6:1
# text = The boy exerts a force of 20 newtons on the trolley.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	boy	boy	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	exerts	exert	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	force	force	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	20	20	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	8	nummod	_	_
8	newtons	newton	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	nmod	_	_
9	on	on	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
10	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	trolley	trolley	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **exert** | present | the boy | a force of 20 newtons on the trolley |  |  |  |  | vn use-105.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent force=Theme |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The coach exerts a lot of influence over the team.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:exert:x7:1
# text = The coach exerts a lot of influence over the team.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	coach	coach	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	exerts	exert	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	lot	lot	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	influence	influence	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	_
8	over	over	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	team	team	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **exert** | present | the coach | a lot of influence |  | the team |  |  | vn use-105.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent lot=Theme |

## Example 8 {#x8}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
In vain she promised great rewards to the doctors; though they exerted all their skill, nothing would cure the Prince.

<!-- fold The tree, 20 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:exert:x8:1
# text = In vain she promised great rewards to the doctors; though they exerted all their skill, nothing would cure the Prince.
1	In	in	ADP	IN	_	2	case	_	_
2	vain	vain	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	obl	_	_
3	she	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	4	nsubj	_	_
4	promised	promise	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	great	great	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	rewards	reward	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	obj	_	_
7	to	to	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	doctors	doctor	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	;	;	PUNCT	,	_	13	punct	_	_
11	though	though	SCONJ	IN	_	13	mark	_	_
12	they	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	13	nsubj	_	_
13	exerted	exert	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	conj	_	_
14	all	all	DET	PDT	PronType=Tot	16	det:predet	_	_
15	their	their	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	16	nmod:poss	_	_
16	skill	skill	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	20	punct	_	_
18	nothing	nothing	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Neg	20	nsubj	_	_
19	would	would	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	20	aux	_	_
20	cure	cure	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	13	conj	_	_
21	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	22	det	_	_
22	Prince	Prince	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	20	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
23	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **promise** *speech: promise* | past | she | great rewards |  | vain |  | to the doctors *goal* | vn future\_having-13.3 «NP V NP PP.goal»: agent=Agent reward=Theme to doctor=Goal |
| 2 | **exert** | past | rewards *= reward* | rewards's skill |  |  |  |  | vn use-105.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent skill=Theme |
| 3 | **cure** | would | nothing | the Prince |  |  |  |  | vn free-10.6.3-1-1 «NP V NP PP.theme»: agent=Causer prince=Source |

<!-- div src -->

**Text:** the school dictionary of Mova's schools (`world/data/dictionary-schools/`), written for Mova. **Trees:** Mova's own parse — the `en` model on the CPU, when the site is built — not checked by a teacher; they may be wrong. **Frames:** Mova's frames reader (`prag`), each meaning and example read on its own. Elamur Cosmic License.

<!-- /div -->

<!-- pn -->
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