Act vs. Conduct — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 3, 2024
"Act" primarily refers to a single action or deed, focusing on specific events, while "Conduct" denotes a person's behavior over time, encompassing a pattern or series of actions.
Difference Between Act and Conduct
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Act refers to an individual occurrence or a single event that is usually deliberate. Whereas, conduct encompasses a person’s overall behavior and the manner in which they carry themselves over a period of time.
Act can be momentary and isolated, often observed in specific responses or decisions. On the other hand, conduct is more about a consistent way of behaving, which can reflect one’s ethics and character.
Act often has immediate and tangible outcomes, like a specific decision made in a meeting. Conversely, conduct generally affects reputation and relationships gradually through continuous interactions.
Act is typically seen in a legal context to denote a specific behavior or decision that is subject to scrutiny. While, conduct is used broadly in both legal and moral discussions, describing patterns that may indicate underlying principles or lack thereof.
Act might be judged as right or wrong based on the context of the action itself. Whereas, conduct is evaluated over time, often against societal or professional standards.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A single deed or action
Overall behavior or manner
Context of Use
Legal, theatrical, everyday
Legal, moral, professional
Duration
Momentary
Extended period
Evaluation
Based on individual incidents
Based on patterns and consistency
Impact
Immediate and specific
Gradual and widespread
Compare with Definitions
Act
To perform a role.
She acts the part of Juliet in the production.
Conduct
Manner of overseeing operations.
His conduct of the meeting was exemplary.
Act
A legal statute.
The act was passed by Congress last year.
Conduct
Transmission of something (heat, electricity).
Copper conducts electricity well.
Act
To pretend.
He's just acting upset to get your attention.
Conduct
Personal behavior.
Her conduct at the party was impeccable.
Act
A main division in a play or opera.
The second act of the play begins in darkness.
Conduct
Directing a performance.
He will conduct the orchestra tonight.
Act
A deed or action.
His act of kindness won him many friends.
Conduct
To guide or escort.
The guide conducted us through the ancient ruins.
Act
The process of doing or performing something
The act of thinking.
Conduct
The manner in which a person behaves, especially in a particular place or situation
They were arrested for disorderly conduct
A code of conduct for directors of listed companies
Act
Something done or performed; a deed
A charitable act.
Conduct
The manner in which an organization or activity is managed or directed
The conduct of the elections
Act
(Law) Something done that has legal significance
A criminal act.
Conduct
Organize and carry out
Surveys conducted among students
In the second trial he conducted his own defence
Act
A statute or other law formally adopted by a legislative body
An act of Congress.
Conduct
Lead or guide (someone) to or around a particular place
He conducted us through his personal gallery of the Civil War
Act
A formal written record of proceedings or transactions.
Conduct
Transmit (a form of energy such as heat or electricity) by conduction
Heat is conducted to the surface
Act
One of the major divisions of a play, opera, or film.
Conduct
Direct the performance of (a piece of music or an orchestra, choir, etc.)
The concert is to be conducted by Sir Simon Rattle
Act
A performance or entertainment usually forming part of a longer presentation
A juggling act.
A magic act.
Conduct
Behave in a specified way
He conducted himself with the utmost propriety
Act
The actor or actors presenting such a performance
Joined the act in Phoenix.
Conduct
To direct the course of; manage or control
A police officer who conducts traffic.
A scientist who conducts experiments.
Act
A manifestation of intentional or unintentional insincerity; a pose
Put on an act.
Conduct
To lead or guide
Conducted the tourists through the museum.
Act
To play the part of; assume the dramatic role of
She plans to act Ophelia in summer stock.
Conduct
(Music) To direct the performance of (an orchestra or chorus, for example).
Act
To perform (a role) on the stage
Act the part of the villain.
Conduct
To serve as a medium for conveying; transmit
Some metals conduct heat.
Act
To behave like or pose as; impersonate
Don't act the fool.
Conduct
To comport (oneself) in a specified way
The students conducted themselves with dignity throughout the ceremony.
Act
To behave in a manner suitable for
Act your age.
Conduct
To act as a director or conductor.
Act
To behave or comport oneself
She acts like a born leader.
Conduct
To show the way; lead.
Act
To perform in a dramatic role or roles.
Conduct
The way a person acts, especially from the standpoint of morality and ethics.
Act
To be suitable for theatrical performance
This scene acts well.
Conduct
The act of directing or controlling; management.
Act
To behave affectedly or unnaturally; pretend.
Conduct
(Obsolete) A guide; an escort.
Act
To appear or seem to be
The dog acted ferocious.
Conduct
The act or method of controlling or directing.
Act
To carry out an action
We acted immediately. The governor has not yet acted on the bill.
Conduct
Skillful guidance or management.
Act
To operate or function in a specific way
His mind acts quickly.
Conduct
Behaviour; the manner of behaving.
Good conduct will be rewarded and likewise poor conduct will be punished.
Act
To serve or function as a substitute for another
A coin can act as a screwdriver.
Conduct
(of a literary work) Plot.
Act
To produce an effect
Waited five minutes for the anesthetic to act.
Conduct
(obsolete) Convoy; escort; person who accompanies another.
Act
(countable) Something done, a deed.
An act of goodwill
Conduct
(archaic) Something which carries or conveys anything; a channel; an instrument; a conduit.
Act
Actuality.
Conduct
To lead, or guide; to escort.
Act
(theology) Something done once and for all, as distinguished from a work.
Conduct
(transitive) To lead; to direct; to be in charge of (people or tasks)
The commander conducted thousands of troops.
To conduct the affairs of a kingdom
Act
A product of a legislative body, a statute.
Conduct
To behave.
He conducted himself well.
Act
The process of doing something.
He was caught in the act of stealing.
Conduct
(transitive) To serve as a medium for conveying; to transmit (heat, light, electricity, etc.)
Act
(countable) A formal or official record of something done.
Conduct
To direct, as the leader in the performance of a musical composition.
Act
A division of a theatrical performance.
The pivotal moment in the play was in the first scene of the second act.
Conduct
(intransitive) To act as a conductor (as of heat, electricity, etc.); to carry.
Act
(countable) A performer or performers in a show.
Which act did you prefer? The soloist or the band?
Conduct
(transitive) To carry out (something organized)
Act
(countable) Any organized activity.
Conduct
The act or method of conducting; guidance; management.
Christianity has humanized the conduct of war.
The conduct of the state, the administration of its affairs.
Act
(countable) A display of behaviour.
Conduct
Skillful guidance or management; generalship.
Conduct of armies is a prince's art.
Attacked the Spaniards . . . with great impetuosity, but with so little conduct, that his forces were totally routed.
Act
A thesis maintained in public, in some English universities, by a candidate for a degree, or to show the proficiency of a student.
Conduct
Convoy; escort; guard; guide.
I will be your conduct.
In my conduct shall your ladies come.
Act
(countable) A display of behaviour meant to deceive.
To put on an act
Conduct
That which carries or conveys anything; a channel; a conduit; an instrument.
Although thou hast been conduct of my shame.
Act
Senseid|en|act of parliament}} (law) {{ellipsis of act of parliament
Conduct
The manner of guiding or carrying one's self; personal deportment; mode of action; behavior.
All these difficulties were increased by the conduct of Shrewsbury.
What in the conduct of our life appearsSo well designed, so luckily begun,But when we have our wish, we wish undone?
Act
(intransitive) To do something.
If you don't act soon, you will be in trouble.
Conduct
Plot; action; construction; manner of development.
The book of Job, in conduct and diction.
Act
To do (something); to perform.
Conduct
To lead, or guide; to escort; to attend.
I can conduct you, lady, to a lowBut loyal cottage, where you may be safe.
Act
(intransitive) To perform a theatrical role.
I started acting at the age of eleven in my local theatre.
Conduct
To lead, as a commander; to direct; to manage; to carry on; as, to conduct the affairs of a kingdom.
Little skilled in the art of conducting a siege.
Act
(intransitive) Of a play: to be acted out (well or badly).
Conduct
To behave; - with the reflexive; as, he conducted himself well.
Act
(intransitive) To behave in a certain manner for an indefinite length of time.
A dog which acts aggressively is likely to bite.
I believe that Bill's stuck-up because of the way that he acts.
He's acting strangely - I think there's something wrong with him.
Conduct
To serve as a medium for conveying; to transmit, as heat, light, electricity, etc.
Act
(copulative) To convey an appearance of being.
He acted unconcerned so the others wouldn't worry.
Conduct
To direct, as the leader in the performance of a musical composition.
Act
(intransitive) To do something that causes a change binding on the doer.
Act on behalf of John
Conduct
To act as a conductor (as of heat, electricity, etc.); to carry.
Act
To have an effect (on).
High-pressure oxygen acts on the central nervous system and may cause convulsions or death.
Gravitational force acts on heavy bodies.
Conduct
To conduct one's self; to behave.
Act
(transitive) To play (a role).
He's been acting Shakespearean leads since he was twelve.
Conduct
Manner of acting or conducting yourself
Act
(transitive) To feign.
He acted the angry parent, but was secretly amused.
Conduct
(behavioral attributes) the way a person behaves toward other people
Act
To map via a homomorphism to a group of automorphisms (of).
This group acts on the circle, so it can't be left-orderable!
Conduct
Direct the course of; manage or control;
You cannot conduct business like this
Act
To move to action; to actuate; to animate.
Conduct
Lead, as in the performance of a composition;
Conduct an orchestra; Bairenboim conducted the Chicago symphony for years
Act
To enact; to decree.
Conduct
Behave in a certain manner;
She carried herself well
He bore himself with dignity
They conducted themselves well during these difficult times
Act
That which is done or doing; the exercise of power, or the effect, of which power exerted is the cause; a performance; a deed.
That best portion of a good man's life,His little, nameless, unremembered actsOf kindness and of love.
Conduct
Transmit or serve as the medium for transmission;
Sound carries well over water
The airwaves carry the sound
Many metals conduct heat
Act
A state of reality or real existence as opposed to a possibility or possible existence.
The seeds of plants are not at first in act, but in possibility, what they afterward grow to be.
Conduct
Take somebody somewhere;
We lead him to our chief
Can you take me to the main entrance?
He conducted us to the palace
Act
Process of doing; action. In act, in the very doing; on the point of (doing).
This woman was taken . . . in the very act.
Conduct
Lead musicians in the performance of;
Bernstein conducted Mahler like no other conductor
She cannot conduct modern pieces
Act
To move to action; to actuate; to animate.
Self-love, the spring of motion, acts the soul.
Act
To perform; to execute; to do.
That we act our temporal affairs with a desire no greater than our necessity.
Industry doth beget by producing good habits, and facility of acting things expedient for us to do.
Uplifted hands that at convenient timesCould act extortion and the worst of crimes.
Act
To perform, as an actor; to represent dramatically on the stage.
Act
To assume the office or character of; to play; to personate; as, to act the hero.
Act
To feign or counterfeit; to simulate.
With acted fear the villain thus pursued.
Act
To exert power; to produce an effect; as, the stomach acts upon food.
Act
To perform actions; to fulfill functions; to put forth energy; to move, as opposed to remaining at rest; to carry into effect a determination of the will.
He hangs between, in doubt to act or rest.
Act
To behave or conduct, as in morals, private duties, or public offices; to bear or deport one's self; as, we know not why he has acted so.
Act
To perform on the stage; to represent a character.
To show the world how Garrick did not act.
Act
A legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body
Act
Something that people do or cause to happen
Act
A subdivision of a play or opera or ballet
Act
A short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program;
He did his act three times every evening
She had a catchy little routine
It was one of the best numbers he ever did
Act
A manifestation of insincerity;
He put on quite an act for her benefit
Act
Perform an action, or work out or perform (an action);
Think before you act
We must move quickly
The governor should act on the new energy bill
The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel
Act
Behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself;
You should act like an adult
Don't behave like a fool
What makes her do this way?
The dog acts ferocious, but he is really afraid of people
Act
Play a role or part;
Gielgud played Hamlet
She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role
She played the servant to her husband's master
Act
Discharge one's duties;
She acts as the chair
In what capacity are you acting?
Act
Pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind;
He acted the idiot
She plays deaf when the news are bad
Act
Be suitable for theatrical performance;
This scene acts well
Act
Have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected;
The voting process doesn't work as well as people thought
How does your idea work in practice?
This method doesn't work
The breaks of my new car act quickly
The medicine works only if you take it with a lot of water
Act
Be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure
Act
Behave unnaturally or affectedly;
She's just acting
Act
Perform on a stage or theater;
She acts in this play
He acted in `Julius Caesar'
I played in `A Christmas Carol'
Common Curiosities
Is there a difference between a criminal act and criminal conduct?
A criminal act refers to a specific action that breaks the law, while criminal conduct involves a pattern of behavior that is criminal in nature.
How do cultural differences impact the perception of conduct?
Cultural norms heavily influence what is considered acceptable or unacceptable conduct, varying significantly between societies.
How do companies assess the conduct of their employees?
Companies often use performance reviews, peer feedback, and observation of daily interactions to assess employees' conduct.
Can conduct be evaluated in a single event?
Typically, conduct requires observation over time, though a single event can sometimes strongly influence perceptions of someone's overall conduct.
Can someone's conduct change over time?
Yes, a person's conduct can change due to personal development, experiences, or changes in circumstances.
What role does intent play in defining an act?
Intent can define the nature of an act, distinguishing between deliberate actions and accidents.
What constitutes an illegal act?
An illegal act is any action that violates a law or statute.
Are acts always observable?
Yes, acts are observable as they involve specific actions or deeds that are evident.
How is conduct taught or instilled?
Conduct is often taught through cultural norms, educational settings, family values, and professional training programs.
What legal consequences can an act have?
Legal consequences of an act can range from fines and penalties to imprisonment, depending on the severity and nature of the act.
Is it possible to act without impacting others?
Most acts have some impact on others, though the extent can vary depending on the nature of the action.
How are acts related to ethics?
Acts are often judged ethically based on the moral standards of the society in which they occur, determining whether they are right or wrong.
Can good conduct excuse a bad act?
While good conduct may influence how others view an individual, it generally does not excuse a bad act, especially in legal contexts.
What psychological factors influence conduct?
Psychological factors such as personality, moral development, and mental health can significantly influence one's conduct.
How does social media influence perceptions of someone’s conduct?
Social media can amplify perceptions of conduct, either positively or negatively, based on the behavior exhibited online.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
