Conduct
/kənˈdʌkt/
nounverbB2
Definition
As a noun, conduct refers to a person's behavior or the way they act in different situations. As a verb, conduct means to lead, guide, or carry out something like an experiment, meeting, or investigation. It involves managing or controlling an activity.
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⚡ See It in Action
Behavior or way of acting (noun)
- •His conduct during the meeting was very professional.
- •The school has rules about student conduct.
- •Good conduct is important in the workplace.
To lead or organize an activity (verb)
- •The scientist conducted an important experiment.
- •She will conduct the interview tomorrow.
- •The company conducted a survey to learn customer opinions.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "conduct" like "behavior" (noun) or "do" (verb), but more formal and about how someone acts or manages something.
- ✓Picture a teacher leading a class or a scientist doing an experiment carefully and clearly.
- ✓It's the feeling of responsibility when you are in charge of something or when you try to act properly.
- ✓Sounds like "con-DUCKT" → imagine a duck leading other ducks across a river, guiding and managing them.
- ✓In stories, conduct is like how a hero behaves in difficult situations or how a leader manages a team.
- ✓NOT like "act" (which can be any action), conduct as behavior is about general manner or rules; as a verb, it's more organized and planned than just doing.
- ✓NOT like "follow" (just doing what others do), conduct as a verb means to lead or organize an activity.
- ✓NOT like "chaos" or random actions — conduct involves control and order.
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Behavior: the way a person acts (Use when talking about personal actions or manners)
- •Manage: to control or organize something (Use when focusing on leading or carrying out activities)
- •Lead: to guide people or events (Use when emphasizing direction or control)
- •Carry out: to do or complete an activity (Use when focusing on performing tasks)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: "con-" (together, with) + "duct" (lead, bring)
- •Etymology: From Latin "conducere," meaning to bring together or lead
- •Historical development: Originally meant to lead or guide people or things; later took on meaning of behavior or personal manner
- •Modern usage: Used as noun for behavior and as verb for organizing or leading tasks, events, or processes
💭 Reflect & Connect
•How does your conduct change when you are in a formal situation compared to when you are with friends?
•Can you think of a time when you had to conduct an activity or lead a group? What did you learn from that experience?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The teacher praised the student's conduct because ___ ___ ___ polite and respectful during class.
2.Before you conduct an experiment, you must ___ ___ ___ a clear plan to follow.
3.Good conduct in the workplace often leads to ___ ___ ___ success and trust from others.
4.When the manager conducted the meeting, she made sure everyone ___ ___ ___ a chance to speak.
5.The rules clearly explain what kind of conduct is ___ ___ ___ acceptable in the school.
6.He conducted the survey carefully, ___ ___ ___ all the questions were clear and fair.
7.Unlike random actions, conduct as a verb means to ___ ___ ___ an activity with control and order.