What is conduct? Pronunciation and usage in English

conduct means . Learn how to pronounce and use conduct through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of conduct

conductnoun/verb

/ˈkɒndʌkt/
Definition & pronunciation of conduct

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "conduct." It can be tricky for some learners! Here's a breakdown:

The Most Common Pronunciation (American English):

  • ˈkənˌdʌkt (This is the pronunciation you'll hear most often in North America)

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  1. ˈkən: This sounds like "kun." The 'k' is pronounced clearly, and the 'n' is a soft 'n' (similar to the 'n' in "sun").
  2. ˌdʌkt: This is where it gets a little trickier.
    • dʌk: This part sounds like "duck." Pay attention to the vowel sound – it's a short "u" sound.
    • t: This is a very quick, almost silent 't' sound. It's almost like the 't' is swallowed.

The British English Pronunciation:

  • ˈkɒnˌdʌkt (Notice the difference in the first syllable)

Here’s how that breaks down:

  1. ˈkɒn: This sounds like "con," with a slightly more rounded ‘o’ sound than the American pronunciation. It's closer to the "oh" in "caught."
  2. ˌdʌkt: Same as above – “duck” followed by a quick, silent 't'.

Tips for Getting it Right:

  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it. Search for "how to pronounce conduct" on YouTube and listen to native speakers. (e.g., search for "conduct pronunciation American English" or "conduct pronunciation British English").
  • Focus on the "duck" sound: Really practice saying "duck" clearly.
  • Don't pronounce the 't': This is the key difference! It’s almost like you're just saying "kun-duct."
  • Stress: The first syllable (kun) is stressed.

Resources for Hearing Pronunciation:

To help me tailor my explanation even further, could you tell me:

  • Where are you learning English? (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Australia, etc.) This helps me give you the most relevant pronunciation.

Usage and examples with the word conduct in English

Let's break down how to use the word "conduct" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Verb – To Lead or Manage (Most Common)

  • Meaning: This is the most frequent usage. It means to lead, manage, or be in charge of something. It implies a degree of skill, organization, and responsibility.
  • Examples:
    • “The orchestra was conducted by a world-renowned maestro.” (Leading the orchestra)
    • “The CEO will conduct a meeting to discuss the new strategy.” (Managing the meeting)
    • “The police conducted an investigation into the crime.” (Managing the investigation)
    • “She conducted the project from start to finish.” (Overseeing the project)
    • "The politician conducted a campaign to win the election." (Leading a campaign)

2. As a Verb – To Perform an Activity (Often with a Formal Tone)

  • Meaning: This refers to carrying out a specific activity, often something that requires careful attention or adherence to rules. It often has a more formal feel than just “do.”
  • Examples:
    • “The study conducted on the effects of stress revealed…” (Performing a research study)
    • “They conducted a survey to gather public opinion.” (Carrying out a survey)
    • “The experiment was conducted under strict laboratory conditions.” (Performing an experiment)
    • “The company conducted a risk assessment.” (Performing an assessment)

3. As a Noun – Behavior or Character

  • Meaning: This is a more subtle usage. It means someone's behavior, moral character, or way of acting. It describes how someone behaves, rather than what they do.
  • Examples:
    • “He has excellent conduct in the workplace.” (He behaves impeccably at work – polite, professional, etc.)
    • “Her conduct was exemplary.” (She behaved very well and appropriately)
    • "The school emphasized good conduct." (Focusing on proper behavior)
    • “His conduct left a lasting impression on everyone.” (Describing his overall demeanor)

4. Related Phrases & Common Combinations

  • Conduct a search: (To look for something) – “The police conducted a search of the premises.”
  • Conduct an interview: (To question someone) – “I’m conducting an interview for the job.”
  • Conduct oneself properly: (To behave in a respectable manner) – “You must conduct yourself properly at the event.”
  • Conduct a review: (Evaluate something) – "The analyst conducted a review of the financial statements."

Tips for Using “Conduct” Correctly:

  • Consider the context: The meaning of “conduct” will depend heavily on the situation.
  • Think about leadership and management: Often, it's about guiding or overseeing something.
  • Formal vs. Informal: Using “conduct” as a verb (performing an activity) tends to sound more formal than simply “do.”

Resources for More Examples & Practice:

To help me give you even more specific advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to use "conduct" in? (e.g., a sentence, an essay, a conversation?)

Synonyms for the word conduct

Practice with vocabulary conduct

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The research team is planning to ______ a comprehensive study on the impact of remote work on productivity.
  2. All employees are expected to maintain a high standard of professional ______ when interacting with clients.
  3. The team worked hard to ______ the project's ambitious goals ahead of schedule.
  4. Before the final presentation, the design team decided to ______ a quick review of all visual assets.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following actions or events can typically be conducted in a professional or academic setting? a) a survey b) a negotiation c) an experiment d) an interview

  2. Maintaining ethical ______ is paramount for researchers handling sensitive data. a) demeanor b) procedure c) conduct d) etiquette

  3. The board is planning to ______ an independent audit of the company's financials next quarter. a) perform b) execute c) undertake d) conduct

  4. The new regulations aim to ______ a higher standard of transparency across all government departments. a) achieve b) enforce c) establish d) demand

  5. It is essential for team leaders to effectively ______ their teams through periods of significant organizational change. a) lead b) guide c) manage d) direct

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The organization has decided to carry out an extensive environmental impact assessment. Rewrite using "conduct":

  2. Original: Students are expected to behave responsibly while on campus. Rewrite using a form of "conduct":

  3. Original: The manager skillfully guided the team through the challenging project phases. Rewrite without using "conduct":

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. conduct
  2. conduct
  3. achieve
  4. perform

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. a) a survey, b) a negotiation, c) an experiment, d) an interview
  2. c) conduct
  3. a) perform, c) undertake, d) conduct
  4. c) establish
  5. a) lead, b) guide, c) manage, d) direct

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The organization has decided to conduct an extensive environmental impact assessment.
  2. Students are expected to conduct themselves responsibly while on campus.
  3. The manager skillfully led the team through the challenging project phases.

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