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'Exorcise' = to expel an evil spirit; 'exercise' = physical activity, practice, or use of a right.
Side-by-side comparison
"Exorcise" means to expel an evil spirit or to free yourself from something that haunts you, through rituals or mental effort. It is a very specific term.
The villagers asked a local priest to exorcise the abandoned house at the end of the street.
She used writing as a way to exorcise her old fears and finally move forward with her life.
The filmmaker hoped the documentary would help him exorcise his obsession with the case.
"Exercise" is physical or mental activity, or the verb to do it. Also to make use of a right or authority: "exercise your right to vote".
Doctors say you should exercise for at least thirty minutes a day to stay healthy.
She exercises every morning before breakfast, it helps her feel energetic all day long.
The committee exercised its right to delay the vote until more information was available.
Common mistake
- •"The priest exercised the demon" is wrong: the priest did not make the demon do sit-ups.
- •The correct word is "exorcised the demon".
- •When talking about spirits or rituals = "exorcise".
- •When talking about physical activity or using a right = "exercise".
Trick to remember it
- •"Exorcise" has the X for eXpelling evil, think of a cross (X shape) used in exorcism rituals.
- •"Exercise" has no prominent X of expulsion.
- •Demons and spirits = eXorcise.
- •Gym and rights = Exercise.
Quick rule
- •"Exorcise" = to expel a spirit through ritual.
- •"Exercise" = to perform physical activity or use a right.
Did you know?
"The Exorcist" (1973) is considered by many the most influential horror film in history and popularized the term "exorcism" in modern Western culture. The Catholic Church has an official ritual called the "Rituale Romanum" that includes the protocol for major exorcism (exorcismus maior), which requires episcopal authorization and cannot be performed without prior psychiatric evaluation of the subject. Minor exorcism (for places and objects) is much more common and can be performed by any ordained priest.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
She goes to the gym to _____ every morning. She loves the feeling afterwards.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
In the horror film, a priest was called to _____ the evil spirit from the house.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Related word pairs
'Lightening' means making lighter in colour or weight (the -ing form of lighten); 'lightning' is the electrical discharge in a storm.
One means to receive or agree to something, the other means to exclude or not include.
'Advice' is the guidance you receive (noun); 'advise' is the act of giving that guidance (verb).
'Affect' is the verb meaning to influence something; 'effect' is the noun meaning result or consequence.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy