Conduct vs Direct

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Conduct

Top 2,000 (common) B2 verb

Direct

Top 1,000 (very common) A2 adjective

Most common: Direct

	Conduct	Direct
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/kənˈdʌkt/","/kənˈdʌkts/","/kənˈdʌktɪd/","/kənˈdʌktɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/kənˈdʌkt/","/kənˈdʌkts/","/kənˈdʌktɪd/","/kənˈdʌktɪŋ/"]/	🇬🇧 /["/dəˈrekt//daɪˈrekt/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/dəˈrekt//daɪˈrekt/"]/
Meaning	To lead or manage something, like a project or an activity.	Straightforward; clear without any confusion.
Example	The scientist will conduct an experiment to test the hypothesis.	She gave me a direct answer to my question.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 2,000 (common)	Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level	B2	A2
Part of speech	verb	adjective
Collocations	independently, separately, jointly, honourably/​honorably, well, with dignity, as, in, well	be, extremely, fairly, very
Antonyms	neglect, abandon	indirect, ambiguous, evasive
Common mistakes	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'.	Using 'direct' incorrectly with reflexive pronouns (e.g., 'direct himself')., Confusing 'direct' with 'indirect'., Mixing up the emotional tone; using 'direct' when a softer approach is needed.
Usage notes	Use ‘conduct’ in formal contexts, such as business or research. It is not suitable for casual conversations or informal writing.	Use 'direct' when giving clear instructions or communicating openly. It's suitable in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious not to come off as too blunt in sensitive situations.

See it in real clips

Then they need a new route, a more direct route.

direct from Hollywood, California, our very own beatnik beauty,

Chill them niggers out and wait for the Wolf, who should be coming directly.

Then they need a new route, a more direct route.

direct from Hollywood, California, our very own beatnik beauty,

Direct

Frequently asked questions: Conduct vs Direct

What's the difference between Conduct and Direct?

Conduct: To lead or manage something, like a project or an activity. Direct: Straightforward; clear without any confusion.

Which is more common: Conduct and Direct?

Direct is the most common in everyday English.

Which is more advanced: Conduct and Direct?

Conduct is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.

Are Conduct and Direct the same CEFR level?

Conduct: B2, Direct: A2 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Conduct and Direct?

Conduct: verb, Direct: adjective.

Can you show an example of each?

Conduct: The scientist will conduct an experiment to test the hypothesis. Direct: She gave me a direct answer to my question.

Can I use Conduct and Direct interchangeably?

Not always. Conduct and Direct 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.