Do exercise means to be physically active: running, swimming, going to the gym. Exercise here means physical activity in general, so it takes no a and no -s: do some exercise, do regular exercise. People also often say get exercise in the same sense: I don't get enough exercise.
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do (some/more/regular) exercise; get + exercise; do stretching/breathing exercises
- I sit at a computer all day, so I try to do some exercise after work.
- Doing regular exercise helped me sleep better during exam season.
- My physio gave me three simple exercises to do at home for my back.
What changed
First versionMy doctor told me to make more exercise.
RevisionMy doctor told me to do more exercise.
Make can seem to fit any activity you perform, but exercise, like homework, goes with do. So make was replaced with do.
Exercises in the plural are separate movements or drills: do stretching exercises, do breathing exercises. The same word is used for tasks in a textbook: Do exercises 3 and 4 for homework. Do exercise without -s means physical activity and sport in general.
Your turn
My knee hurts when I run, so my doctor says I should ___ gentler exercise, like swimming.
Show the answer
do — The doctor is recommending gentler physical activity, and exercise in this sense goes with do: do gentler exercise. Native speakers don't say make exercise.
Describe what stops you exercising as often as you'd like. Name the reason and say what you're going to change.
I don't do enough exercise because I often work late, so I'm going to cycle to the office twice a week.
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