behave

/bɪˈheɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /bɪˈheɪv/ (ame, ipa) · /bi-ˈhāv bē-/ (ame, mw)

behave — verb

1. to show, by your actions, a manner that seems calm, rude, strange, etc., without

1.動詞不及物B1
釋義

to show, by your actions, a manner that seems calm, rude, strange, etc., without judging it as right or wrong.

例句

Lena behaved calmly when the dog ran into the road.

behave + adverb of manner

At dinner, Uncle Ray behaved as if the argument never happened.

behave as if + clause

同義詞
  • act

    the broad everyday verb and the closest general equivalent

  • conduct yourself

    more formal and often suggests self-control

  • carry yourself

    focuses more on outward manner and bearing

文法句型

behave + adverb

behave as if + clause

behave with + noun

用法筆記

Usually followed by an adverb or phrase showing manner, such as well, badly, strangely, or as if + clause. Human or animal subjects are most natural here; sense 2 is more common for machines, substances, or systems.

常見錯誤

❌He behaved me badly at work.
✅He treated me badly at work.
💡'behave' does not take a direct object when you mean how someone treated another person.
❌Sara behaved very angry after the call.
✅Sara behaved angrily after the call.
💡after 'behave', use an adverb, not an adjective.

2. to react or work in its own way in a given set of conditions, especially when ta

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to react or work in its own way in a given set of conditions, especially when talking about animals, substances, machines, or systems.

例句

Warm butter behaves differently from cold butter in cake mix.

behave differently in + condition

The phone behaves oddly after the latest software update.

behave oddly after + event

同義詞
  • react

    focuses on what happens when something meets a condition or event

  • function

    stresses how something works, especially a system or device

  • respond

    often used when the change comes from outside pressure or treatment

文法句型

behave differently in + condition

behave oddly after + event

how + subject + behave

用法筆記

Subject is often a thing, substance, machine, animal group, or system rather than a person. Distinguish from sense 1, which is more about someone's manner or conduct in a situation.

常見錯誤

❌The machine behaved good in the heat.
✅The machine behaved well in the heat.
💡after 'behave', use the adverb 'well', not the adjective 'good'.

3. to act in the polite, controlled way that adults or society expect.

3.動詞不及物B1
釋義

to act in the polite, controlled way that adults or society expect.

例句

Please behave while we wait outside the principal's office.

imperative: behave

The twins behaved well during the long wedding dinner.

behave well

同義詞
  • be good

    common everyday wording, especially when speaking to children

  • act properly

    close in meaning and slightly more explicit about social rules

  • mind your manners

    focuses especially on politeness in social situations

  • obey

    narrower; stresses following instructions rather than general manners

反義詞
  • misbehave

    the direct opposite for acting badly

  • act up

    informal and often used for noisy or difficult children

  • be rude

    focuses on bad manners toward other people

文法句型

behave!

behave well

behave yourself

用法筆記

Common in commands and warnings to children, often simply as 'Behave!' or with a reflexive pronoun in 'behave yourself'. Distinguish from sense 1, where the speaker only describes a manner and does not judge it as acceptable or unacceptable.

常見錯誤

❌The children behaved good in church.
✅The children behaved well in church.
💡after 'behave', use the adverb 'well'.
❌Please behave you in class.
✅Please behave yourself in class.
💡if you add a pronoun, it is the reflexive form.