Explanation at your level:
To conduct means to lead. You can conduct a group of people. Think of a teacher leading a class. You are in charge of the activity.
When you conduct an activity, you organize it. For example, you can conduct an interview with a friend to learn about their favorite hobbies.
In business, we conduct meetings to talk about projects. Scientists conduct experiments in a lab to find new information. It means to manage a process.
The word is quite formal. You would use it in a report or an academic essay. It implies that you have a plan and you are following it step-by-step.
It often appears in professional contexts like 'conducting a thorough investigation'. It suggests a methodical approach to a task, emphasizing the leadership role of the person performing the action.
Etymologically, it implies 'leading together'. It is used when one exerts influence over a process. It is a staple of formal register, distinguishing a controlled, deliberate action from a casual one.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Means to lead or manage a process.
- Used in formal, business, and academic contexts.
- Verb stress is on the second syllable.
- Commonly paired with research, surveys, and interviews.
When you conduct something, you are the person in charge of making sure it happens correctly. Think of a conductor in an orchestra; they aren't just standing there, they are guiding every musician to ensure the music sounds perfect.
In a professional setting, you might conduct a meeting or conduct research. It is a very versatile word that suggests you are in the driver's seat of a planned event or study. It sounds much more formal than just saying 'do' or 'run'.
The word conduct comes from the Latin word conductus, which is the past participle of conducere. This breaks down into com- (together) and ducere (to lead). So, literally, it means 'to lead together'.
Over centuries, the word moved through Old French before entering English. It originally meant to escort or guide someone, but by the 16th century, it evolved to describe the management of processes and tasks. It shares a root with 'educate' and 'deduce'!
You will mostly hear conduct in academic, business, or formal settings. We rarely say 'conduct' for casual tasks like 'conducting the dishes'. Instead, we conduct interviews, conduct surveys, and conduct business.
It is a high-register verb. If you want to sound professional in an email or a report, use 'conduct' instead of 'do' or 'handle'. It adds a layer of seriousness to your work.
While 'conduct' itself isn't always in idioms, it is part of formal expressions. Conduct oneself means to behave in a certain way: 'He conducted himself with dignity.' Conduct a symphony refers to the literal act of leading musicians. Conduct an inquiry is a formal phrase used in legal or official investigations.
Be careful with the stress! As a verb, the stress is on the second syllable: con-DUCT. As a noun, the stress is on the first: CON-duct. This is a classic English word shift.
It is a regular verb: conducted, conducting. It is almost always used with a direct object, like 'conduct a study' or 'conduct an experiment'.
Fun Fact
The word 'conductor' originally referred to a guide, not just a train driver or musician.
Pronunciation Guide
Stress the second syllable.
Clear 'u' sound in the second syllable.
Common Errors
- Stressing the first syllable
- Dropping the final 't'
- Mispronouncing the 'u' as an 'o'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to understand once the formal register is grasped.
Requires understanding of formal collocations.
Stress shift can be tricky.
Clear pronunciation.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Transitive Verbs
He conducts the meeting.
Stress Patterns
CON-duct vs con-DUCT
Formal Register
Using conduct vs do
Examples by Level
The teacher will conduct the class.
teacher leads
verb + object
He conducts the music.
he leads the band
present simple
They conduct a test.
they do a test
simple present
She conducts the meeting.
she leads the meeting
third person singular
We conduct surveys.
we ask questions
plural subject
Did you conduct it?
did you do it?
past tense question
I will conduct it.
I will do it
future tense
They conduct research.
they study
collocation
The police will conduct an investigation.
We need to conduct a survey.
Who will conduct the interview?
The scientist conducts experiments daily.
They conducted a study on sleep.
Please conduct yourself well.
He is conducting the orchestra.
She conducts business in English.
The company conducts regular training.
We must conduct a risk assessment.
The committee will conduct a review.
She conducted the meeting with grace.
They are conducting a search for the truth.
I need to conduct a quick check.
The laboratory conducts many tests.
Who is conducting the workshop?
The university conducts cutting-edge research.
He was asked to conduct the inquiry.
They conducted themselves with great professionalism.
The government is conducting a census.
We must conduct our affairs with transparency.
The choir was conducted by a master.
She conducted the negotiation skillfully.
They are conducting a series of interviews.
The auditor will conduct a thorough examination of the accounts.
He conducted the proceedings with absolute impartiality.
The agency conducts extensive market analysis.
They are conducting a campaign to raise awareness.
The orchestra conductor conducted the piece perfectly.
The study was conducted over three years.
We must conduct ourselves according to the rules.
The investigation was conducted in secret.
The diplomat conducted the negotiations with subtle nuance.
He conducted a symphony of voices in the debate.
The research was conducted under strict ethical guidelines.
She conducted her life with unwavering integrity.
The symphony was conducted by a world-renowned maestro.
They conducted an exhaustive review of the literature.
The experiment was conducted in a controlled environment.
He conducted the transition of power smoothly.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"conduct oneself"
to behave in a specific way
Please conduct yourself appropriately.
formal"conduct an orchestra"
to lead musicians with a baton
He dreams of conducting an orchestra.
neutral"conduct a symphony"
to lead a musical performance
She is ready to conduct a symphony.
formal"conduct an investigation"
to perform a formal search for facts
The police will conduct an investigation.
formal"conduct a campaign"
to organize a series of activities for a goal
They are conducting a campaign for charity.
neutral"conduct business as usual"
to continue working normally
Despite the news, we will conduct business as usual.
neutralEasily Confused
Both mean to lead.
Direct is about giving orders; conduct is about managing a process.
He directs the actors; he conducts the experiment.
Both mean to be in charge.
Manage is broader; conduct is task-specific.
He manages the shop; he conducts the audit.
Both mean to do.
Perform is about the action; conduct is about the leadership.
They perform the surgery; they conduct the study.
Both mean to execute.
Carry out is phrasal and less formal.
We carried out the plan; we conducted the plan.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + conduct + object
They conduct research.
Subject + conduct + object + with + noun
He conducted the meeting with ease.
Subject + conduct + object + in + place
We conduct tests in the lab.
Subject + conduct + oneself + adverb
She conducted herself professionally.
Subject + conduct + object + for + purpose
They conduct surveys for data.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Conduct is too formal for daily tasks.
Stress changes meaning.
It is a transitive verb.
Conduct is not a synonym for 'act' in that way.
It ends with a 't'.
Tips
The Baton Trick
Imagine a conductor's baton whenever you see the word.
Business Emails
Use it to sound professional when discussing meetings.
Orchestras
The most common visual for this word is a musical conductor.
Stress Shift
Remember: CON-duct (noun), con-DUCT (verb).
The 'u' sound
Keep the 'u' short and clear.
Don't use for chores
Avoid 'conduct the laundry'.
Latin Roots
It means 'to lead together'.
Collocation Lists
Learn it with 'research', 'survey', and 'interview'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Con-Duct: Think of a conductor leading a DUCK parade.
Visual Association
An orchestra leader with a baton.
Word Web
Challenge
Write three sentences using 'conduct' in a professional context.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: to lead together
Cultural Context
None, but avoid using it in very casual social situations.
Common in business and academic English.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Academic
- conduct research
- conduct a study
- conduct an analysis
Business
- conduct a meeting
- conduct an interview
- conduct business
Science
- conduct an experiment
- conduct a test
- conduct a trial
Formal Events
- conduct a ceremony
- conduct a tour
- conduct a service
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever had to conduct a meeting?"
"What kind of research would you like to conduct?"
"Do you think it is hard to conduct an orchestra?"
"How should a student conduct themselves in class?"
"Why do scientists conduct experiments?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you had to lead or conduct a project.
If you could conduct any experiment, what would it be?
How do you conduct yourself in a job interview?
Write about the importance of conducting research before making a decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsIt is both! Stress the first syllable for the noun and the second for the verb.
No, that sounds strange. Use 'host' or 'organize'.
Yes, it is much more formal than 'do'.
Conducted.
They are similar, but conduct focuses on the process.
Only in the sense of 'escorting' them, which is quite old-fashioned.
Because it implies a strict, controlled process.
A material that conducts electricity in specific conditions.
Test Yourself
The teacher will ___ the class.
Conduct means to lead.
Which is a synonym for conduct?
Lead is the closest meaning.
You can conduct the dishes.
Conduct is for formal tasks, not chores.
Word
Meaning
Matching verbs to their common objects.
Subject + verb + object.
Score: /5
Summary
Conduct is the professional way to say you are leading or managing a specific task or process.
- Means to lead or manage a process.
- Used in formal, business, and academic contexts.
- Verb stress is on the second syllable.
- Commonly paired with research, surveys, and interviews.
The Baton Trick
Imagine a conductor's baton whenever you see the word.
Business Emails
Use it to sound professional when discussing meetings.
Orchestras
The most common visual for this word is a musical conductor.
Stress Shift
Remember: CON-duct (noun), con-DUCT (verb).
Example
I will conduct a short tour of the school for the new students.
Related Content
Learn it in Context
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