conduct
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to organize and do a particular activity, such as a survey, an experiment, or a meeting.
v.to organize and carry out a specific process or activity. Transitive; frequently collocates with 'research', 'survey', 'interview', or 'experiment'.
Simple“The university will conduct a survey to find out what students think about the new library.”
In context“The research team plans to conduct a longitudinal study to observe how linguistic habits evolve in bilingual communities over several decades.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to stand in front of an orchestra or choir and direct how they play or sing.
v.to direct the performance of a musical ensemble through hand gestures or a baton.
Simple“She was invited to conduct the national orchestra during the summer festival.”
In context“The guest maestro will conduct the symphony's performance of Mahler's Ninth, bringing a famously minimalist interpretation to the score.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
v.to behave in a particular way, especially in a formal or professional situation.
v.to behave in a specified manner. Often used reflexively with 'oneself' to indicate professional or moral comportment.
Simple“The lawyer was praised for the way he conducted himself during the difficult trial.”
In context“Employees are expected to conduct themselves with the utmost integrity when representing the firm at international conferences.”
Synonymsbehavecomport - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to allow heat or electricity to flow through a substance.
v.to serve as a medium for the transmission of energy, such as heat or electricity.
Simple“Copper is used in wiring because it can conduct electricity very efficiently.”
In context“Silver is the most conductive element, though its high cost prevents it from being used for standard electrical transmission lines.”
- 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the way a person behaves, especially in public or at work.
n.the manner in which a person behaves, particularly in a professional or institutional context. Uncountable in this sense.
Simple“The company has a strict code of conduct that all employees must follow.”
In context“The committee launched an inquiry into the senator's professional conduct following allegations of a conflict of interest.”
UsageThe noun is stressed on the first syllable (CON-duct), while the verb is stressed on the second (con-DUCT).
PitfallThe teacher was happy with the student's conducts. The teacher was happy with the student's conduct.When 'conduct' means behaviour, it is uncountable and does not take a plural 's'.
Usage conduct the study · conducted its public · conduct investigations
“The UFU has called for the review to be conducted by a panel of experts, rather than an individual.”
“That is why they’re throwing code of conduct complaints at me.”
From Late Latin conductus (“defense, escort”), from Latin conductus, perfect passive participle of condūcō (“bring together”); see also conduce. Doublet of conduit.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.