Cool MateBehaviour vs Conduct vs Manners vs Performance
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Behaviour
Conduct
Manners
Performance
| Behaviour | Conduct | Manners | Performance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/bɪˈheɪvjə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/bɪˈheɪvjər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈdʌkt/","/kənˈdʌkts/","/kənˈdʌktɪd/","/kənˈdʌktɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈdʌkt/","/kənˈdʌkts/","/kənˈdʌktɪd/","/kənˈdʌktɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈmæn.əz//🇺🇸 //ˈmæn.ɚz// | 🇬🇧 /["/pəˈfɔːməns/"]/🇺🇸 /["/pərˈfɔːrməns/"]/ |
| Meaning | The way someone acts or behaves. | To lead or manage something, like a project or an activity. | The way someone behaves towards others. | How well someone does something, especially in a play or a competition. |
| Example | Her behaviour at the party was quite friendly and welcoming. | The scientist will conduct an experiment to test the hypothesis. | She has excellent manners, always saying please and thank you. | The performance of the team improved significantly after the new coach was hired. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | B2 | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | noun | verb | noun | |
| Collocations | exemplary, good, acceptable, affect, control, influence, pattern, modification, issues, behaviour towards/toward, behaviour and attitudes, be on your best behaviour, a code of behaviour, exemplary, good, acceptable, affect, control, influence, pattern, modification, issues, behaviour towards/toward, behaviour and attitudes, be on your best behaviour, a code of behaviour | independently, separately, jointly, honourably/honorably, well, with dignity, as, in, well | good manners, bad manners, social manners, table manners, cultural manners | live, public, evening, give, put on, stage, feature somebody/something, art, poetry, artist, in performance, brilliant, convincing, dazzling, deliver, give, produce, benchmark, indicator, level, performance as, performance from, performance on, a level of performance, a measure of performance, a standard of performance, high, maximum, optimal, affect, influence, assess, boost |
| Antonyms | misbehavior, disobedience | neglect, abandon | rudeness, impoliteness, discourtesy | failure, inactivity |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'behavior' vs 'behaviour' (UK vs US spelling)., Using it as a verb; it's only a noun., Mixing it up with 'conduct' when the context doesn't fit. | Confused with 'conduct' as a noun vs. verb., Incorrectly using it without an object, e.g., 'conduct a meeting' instead of just 'conduct'., Mixing up 'conduct' with similar verbs like 'perform' or 'carry out'. | Confusing with 'manners' as just etiquette; it also includes general behavior., Using it as a verb; 'manners' is a noun only., Omitting 'good' or 'bad' when describing types of manners. | Confused with 'performancer,' which is incorrect., Using 'performance' as a verb instead of a noun., Confusing types of performance, like sports vs. arts. |
| Usage notes | Used in both formal and informal contexts. In formal settings, you might discuss 'behavior' in psychology or education. Avoid using in casual conversations where simpler terms like 'acting' may fit better. | Use ‘conduct’ in formal contexts, such as business or research. It is not suitable for casual conversations or informal writing. | Used in both formal and informal contexts. Appropriate in social discussions. Avoid when discussing strictly legal or formal rules. | Use 'performance' when discussing shows, competitions, or work output. It's neutral, suitable for both casual and formal settings, but avoid in very casual contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Behaviour vs Conduct vs Manners vs Performance
What's the difference between Behaviour, Conduct, Manners, and Performance?
Behaviour: The way someone acts or behaves. Conduct: To lead or manage something, like a project or an activity. Manners: The way someone behaves towards others. Performance: How well someone does something, especially in a play or a competition.
Which is more common: Behaviour, Conduct, Manners, and Performance?
Performance is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Behaviour, Conduct, Manners, and Performance?
Conduct is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Behaviour: Her behaviour at the party was quite friendly and welcoming. Conduct: The scientist will conduct an experiment to test the hypothesis. Manners: She has excellent manners, always saying please and thank you. Performance: The performance of the team improved significantly after the new coach was hired.
Can I use Behaviour, Conduct, Manners, and Performance interchangeably?
Not always. Behaviour, Conduct, Manners, and Performance are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.