The use of "exercise"

[Rachel Adams]

Hello.

BrE speakers, as far as I know you say "Do you do any sport?" While AmE speakers say "Do you do any sports?" Is it the same with the word "exercise"? "Do you do any exercise?" Or just "Do you do exercise?" "Do you do any exercises?" "Do you do exercises?"

 

[Tarheel]

Try:

Do you exercise?

Also possible:

Do you work out?

 

[emsr2d2]

I'm equally likely to ask "Do you do any sport?" or "Do you play any sports?"

As far as Tarheel's second suggestion goes, BrE only uses "work out" to refer to using the gym or doing things like press-ups etc (even at home). It wouldn't work for things like tennis or football.

 

[PeterCW]

In BrE "exercise" would refer to any form of physical exercise including team sports or even simply walking regularly. On the other hand "exercises" would specifically refer to routines such as press-up which are also covered by the more modern term "work out"

 

[Rachel Adams]

I'm equally likely to ask "Do you do any sport?" or "Do you play any sports?"

As far as Tarheel's second suggestion goes, BrE only uses "work out" to refer to using the gym or doing things like press-ups etc (even at home). It wouldn't work for things like tennis or football.

I noticed that with "play" you used the plural form "sports."

 

[emsr2d2]

I noticed that too! I'll have a think about it and see if I can explain why.

 

[Rachel Adams]

In BrE "exercise" would refer to any form of physical exercise including team sports or even simply walking regularly. On the other hand "exercises" would specifically refer to routines such as press-up which are also covered by the more modern term "work out"

So it depends on what I am talking about. Does it mean all my sentences are correct and can be used in different contexts?

 

[Yankee]

AmE: "Sports" as in a variety of.