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Prepositions with nouns

Prepositions used with conduct

Different prepositions with "conduct" express different meanings. Some combinations are standard collocations, while others depend on the wider sentence.

Quick answer

How do prepositions work with "conduct"?

The most common patterns are "conduct of" for behaviour or management, "conduct by" for the person performing an action, and "conduct in" for behaviour in a situation. "Conduct on" usually refers to a topic of discussion or research, not behaviour itself. "Conduct for" is uncommon and depends on the wider context.

The committee criticised the conduct of the negotiations.
Her conduct in class was excellent.
The survey was conducted by an independent agency.
Research on conduct in online communities is expanding.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
conduct of + activity/person

Describing behaviour or management

Use this pattern for behaviour, administration, or the way something is carried out.

The report examined the conduct of senior officials.
We discussed the conduct of the investigation.
2
conduct in + situation

Describing behaviour in a context

Use this structure for behaviour within a place, role, or situation.

His conduct in the interview impressed the panel.
Students are responsible for their conduct in the laboratory.
3
conduct by + agent

Identifying who performs an action

With the verb "conducted," use "by" to name the person or organisation doing the action.

The experiment was conducted by university researchers.
The review was conducted by an external auditor.
4
research on conduct

Referring to a topic or subject

Use "on conduct" when "conduct" is the subject of research, discussion, or policy.

The book includes a chapter on conduct in public office.
They published research on conduct among teenagers.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
conduct of
The conduct of the trial was widely criticised.
Behaviour or management of an activity or person.
conduct in
Her conduct in meetings is always professional.
Behaviour within a specific situation.
conduct by
The training was conducted by specialists.
Names the agent performing an action with the verb "conducted."
conduct for
"Conduct for" is not a common fixed combination with the noun "conduct."
Possible only in specific contexts where "for" belongs to another part of the sentence.
conduct on
The seminar on conduct in schools attracted many teachers.
Refers to conduct as a topic, not usually behaviour directly linked by the noun.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using "conduct by" as a noun phrase

For behaviour or management, use "conduct of." "Conduct by" is mainly used with the verb "conducted."

✕ The conduct by the manager was inappropriate. ✓ The conduct of the manager was inappropriate.

Using "on conduct" for behaviour in a situation

Use "conduct in" to describe behaviour within a context.

✕ Her conduct on class was disruptive. ✓ Her conduct in class was disruptive.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The report examined the conduct ___ the negotiations.
2. His conduct ___ the courtroom was respectful.
3. The survey was conducted ___ an independent company.

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Frequently asked questions

Is "conduct of" formal?

Yes. It is common in legal, academic, and official contexts.

Why is "conduct by" different from "conduct of"?

"Conduct by" usually appears with the verb "conducted" to show who performed an action, while "conduct of" refers to behaviour or management.

Can "on conduct" be correct?

Yes. It is natural when conduct is the topic of research, discussion, or policy, as in "a lecture on conduct in schools."

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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