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REFERENCE

perform

v.
A2 Elementary Oxford US //pɝˈfɔɹm// UK //pəfˈɔːm// per·form General-service

v. to do an action, a piece of work, or a duty. It can also mean to entertain people by acting, singing, or playing music.

v. to carry out, accomplish, or fulfill a task or function; to present a form of entertainment to an audience.


SIMPLE

The surgeon will perform the operation tomorrow morning.

CONTEXTUAL

The software is designed to perform complex calculations in seconds, saving the engineering team hours of manual work.

COMPLEX

While the lead actor was unable to perform due to illness, the understudy stepped in and delivered a performance that captivated the entire audience.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English parformen, performen (“to perform”), from Anglo-Norman performer, parfourmer, alteration of Old French parfornir, parfurnir (“to complete, accomplish, perform”), from par- + fornir, furnir (“to accomplish, furnish”), from Frankish frummjan (“to accomplish, furnish”), from Proto-Germanic frumjaną, framjaną (“to further, promote”), from Proto-Indo-European promo- (“in front, forth”), per- (“forward, out”). Cognate with Old High German frummen (“to do, execute, accomplish, provide”), Old Saxon frummian (“to perform, promote”), Old English fremman (“to perform, execute, carry out, accomplish”). See also frame, from. Modernly, rather than Proto-Germanic frumjaną, associated with Latin formō, analyzable as per- + form.

Usage

The verb is transitive when referring to tasks or shows, but can be intransitive when describing how well someone does something.

Pitfall

he performs very goodhe performs very wellWhen describing the quality of an action, use the adverb 'well' rather than the adjective 'good'.

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