conduct
conduct — verb
1. to carry out an activity or process that needs planning and organization, such a
to carry out an activity or process that needs planning and organization, such as a test, interview, or meeting
The research team conducted a survey of over two thousand local residents.
conduct + survey of + noun group
Sivan will conduct the job interviews on Tuesday morning at the main office.
conduct + interview
A safety inspection was conducted after the factory received complaints from workers.
The school conducted a trial of the new teaching method in three first-grade classes.
Rania's company conducted a market research survey across five cities to understand local customer needs.
- neglect
to fail to carry out a duty or task
文法句型
conduct + noun phrase (activity/experiment/survey/interview)
用法筆記
The object is typically a planned activity such as research, an experiment, a survey, an interview, or a meeting. Common in formal and professional contexts.
常見錯誤
2. to act in a particular fashion, especially in formal or public contexts where ot
to act in a particular fashion, especially in formal or public contexts where others can see you
The ambassador conducted herself with great dignity during the difficult negotiations.
conduct oneself + with + noun (dignity/grace/professionalism)
All students are expected to conduct themselves responsibly while on school grounds.
conduct oneself + adverb (responsibly/properly)
Erik knew his parents expected him to conduct himself like a gentleman at the wedding.
The players conducted themselves poorly after losing the final match, shouting at the referees.
- behave
more common and less formal; can be used without a reflexive pronoun
- comport oneself
very formal; used in official or literary contexts
- act
broader meaning; focuses on outward actions rather than manner
- misbehave
to behave badly
文法句型
conduct oneself + adverb (well/badly/properly/dignified manner)
用法筆記
Almost always used reflexively with 'oneself' followed by an adverb or adverbial phrase describing how the person behaves. The bare form 'conduct badly' without 'oneself' is incorrect.
常見錯誤
3. to lead or guide someone to a place, usually by walking with them and showing th
to lead or guide someone to a place, usually by walking with them and showing the way
The hotel porter conducted the guests to their rooms on the fifth floor.
conduct + person + to + place
Yumi was conducted into the manager's office by a young assistant with a clipboard.
passive: be conducted into + place
The nurse gently conducted the elderly patient from the waiting area to the examination room.
Obi conducted the visitors through the narrow streets of the old market district.
文法句型
conduct + person + preposition + place
用法筆記
More formal than 'take' or 'lead'. Often used in service settings such as hotels, hospitals, and offices where a staff member escorts someone. The preposition 'to' indicates destination; 'into' and 'through' are also common.
常見錯誤
4. to take a person or group around a place, pointing out interesting features and
to take a person or group around a place, pointing out interesting features and explaining what they see
Imran conducted a tour of the art gallery for a group of visiting students.
conduct a tour of + place
A local historian conducts guided walks around the old town every Saturday morning.
conduct guided walks around + place
Putri was asked to conduct a tour of the laboratory for the new research fellows.
The museum provides audio guides so visitors can conduct their own tour at any pace.
- lead a tour
less formal; more common in spoken English
- guide
as a verb; shorter and common in tourism contexts
文法句型
conduct + a tour + of/around + place
用法筆記
The object is always a tour, a visit, or a walk — never the person being guided. Compare with sense 3: you 'conduct a tour' (sense 4) = you lead the activity; you 'conduct a person' (sense 3) = you physically lead the individual.
常見錯誤
5. to stand in front of a group of musicians and direct their playing or singing us
to stand in front of a group of musicians and direct their playing or singing using hand gestures or a baton
Joaquín has conducted the city orchestra for over twelve years with great success.
conduct + orchestra/choir/band
The conductor raised her baton and began to conduct the second movement of the symphony.
conduct + piece of music
Christopher was nervous about conducting a large choir for the first time at the festival.
The famous composer himself conducted the final concert of the season last March.
文法句型
conduct + orchestra/choir/band
conduct + piece/composition
conduct (no object)
用法筆記
Can be used transitively (conduct the orchestra) or intransitively (she conducts beautifully). The person is called a 'conductor'. This sense is distinct from the guide-word sense of 'lead' — it refers specifically to musical direction.
常見錯誤
6. to allow heat, electricity, or sound to pass through a substance or material
to allow heat, electricity, or sound to pass through a substance or material
Copper wires conduct electricity much better than iron wires of the same thickness.
material + conduct + electricity
Wood does not conduct heat well, so wooden handles stay cool on cooking pots.
conduct + heat + adverb (well/depends on context)
Mert checked if the rubber coating could still conduct enough electricity for the device.
Special ceiling panels are designed to conduct sound evenly across the concert hall.
Salt water conducts electricity more easily than fresh water because of the dissolved minerals.
- insulate
to prevent heat, electricity, or sound from passing through
文法句型
conduct + heat/electricity/sound + through/across/along + material
用法筆記
Subject is typically a material (metal, water, wood) and the object is an abstract force (heat, electricity, sound). The noun form 'conductor' describes a material that allows transmission well ('copper is a good conductor of heat').
常見錯誤
conduct — noun
1. the standards or patterns of how someone acts, measured against what is morally
the standards or patterns of how someone acts, measured against what is morally or socially acceptable
The teacher praised the class for their excellent conduct during the school assembly.
adjective + conduct (excellent/good/bad/unacceptable)
Dahlia received a warning about her conduct after shouting at a customer in the store.
conduct + of + person
Professional conduct requires doctors to keep patient information private and confidential.
A code of conduct sets out rules that all employees must follow at work.
Élise was suspended from the team because of conduct that went against the club's rules.
- behaviour
less formal; more common in everyday language; can be countable
- demeanour
more formal; focuses on outward appearance and manner
- deportment
very formal; often used in schools, about posture and manners
- misconduct
unacceptable or improper behaviour
文法句型
conduct + of + person/group
adjective + conduct
用法筆記
Usually uncountable, so use 'a piece of conduct' or 'conduct' without an article. Often modified by adjectives such as 'good', 'bad', 'professional', 'unacceptable'. Common in legal, educational, and workplace rules ('code of conduct').
常見錯誤
2. how something such as a project, investigation, or meeting is handled, directed,
how something such as a project, investigation, or meeting is handled, directed, and completed from start to finish
The conduct of the election was widely praised by international observers as fair and open.
the conduct of + activity (election/meeting/inquiry)
Cole was appointed to oversee the conduct of the internal investigation into the data breach.
the conduct of + investigation
Questions were raised about the conduct of the negotiations after key documents went missing.
The finance committee reviewed the conduct of the annual budget process and found no errors.
- management
broader; can refer to people or processes
- running
less formal; common in everyday contexts
- administration
focuses on systems and procedures
文法句型
the conduct of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the pattern 'the conduct of + [activity]'. This sense is more abstract than sense 1 (behaviour); it focuses on how an activity is run, not on personal behaviour. Common in news and business writing.