behave

The word "behave" is a verb used to describe a person’s actions and attitude.

• The students behaved well in class today.
• We expect everyone at the party will behave.
• You don’t have to worry about anyone behaving badly. (The word "behaving" is a gerund in this sentence.)
• Everyone behaves when the boss is in the office.
• David’s mother told him that if he didn’t behave she wouldn’t take him to the park.
• Faduma was not behaving properly at the dinner table.
• Please, behave. (This is a command.)
• Please behave yourself. (Said to one person.)
• Please behave yourselves. (Said to more than one person. Notice the use of reflexive pronouns with the word "behave.")
• Those people clearly don’t know how to behave.

You can also use the word "behave" for an animal or a thing:

• My car has been behaving strangely lately.
• Rick’s puppy doesn’t know how to behave when it’s in the house.
• Plants and trees behave according to the environment in which they grow.

The word "behavior" is a noun:

• The boy’s behavior is so bad he can’t remain in school.
• His behavior is becoming an issue.
• The man’s behavior is embarrassing.
• He embarrassed himself with his bad behavior.
• We were offended by the behavior of a rude couple on the plane.

His behavior has been very odd lately.

To be on one’s best behavior is a type of expression:

• The children are on their best behavior.
• He’s on his best behavior.
• She’s on her best behavior.
• You had better be on your best behavior today.

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May 2, 2018