How to Use "Behavior" in a Sentence

Conversation Questions about Behavior

be.hav.ior /bɪheɪvjər / American English  noun [uncountable]

be‧hav‧iour /bɪheɪvjə(r)/ British English noun [uncountable]

1   [uncountable]  the way that sb behaves, especially towards other people. the things that a person or animal does

• good/bad behaviour He had his jail term cut for good behaviour. | It is important to reward good behaviour.
• social/sexual/criminal behaviour
• His behaviour towards her was becoming more aggressive.
• I know you were upset, but that doesn't excuse your behaviour.
• Parents can influence the behaviour of their children.
• Parents should reinforce good behaviour.
• his behaviour towards his parents
• Her behaviour is often appalling.
• He was notorious for his violent and threatening behaviour.
• She complained of her boss’s inappropriate behavior towards her.

2   [uncountable , countable]  the way a person, an animal, a plant, a chemical, etc. behaves or functions in a particular situation, the things that something in science normally does.

• behaviour of the behaviour of dolphins/chromosomes | the behaviour of human chromosomes
• Animals in zoos often display disturbed behaviour.
• a report of suspicious behaviour
• a new study looking at the behaviour and attitudes of young men
• the effects of alcohol on human behaviour   
• studying human and animal behaviour
• (technical) to study learned behaviours

Idiom: be on your best behaviour: to behave in the most polite way you can (in order to please someone)  I want you both to be on your best behaviour at Grandad’s.
behavioural   adjective:  behavioural science
behaviourally   adverb

Collocations

- adjectives

• good/bad   The boys were suspended from school for bad behaviour.  |  His good behaviour did not last long.
• normal/abnormal   They thought their son’s behaviour was perfectly normal.  |  Were there any signs of abnormal behaviour?
• aggressive/violent/threatening    His behavior became increasingly violent.
• antisocial   antisocial behaviour such as spitting and swearing in public
• acceptable/unacceptable    This sort of behavior is completely unacceptable.
• appropriate/inappropriate   formal  (= suitable/not suitable for that situation )    Within the official school framework there are penalties for inappropriate behaviour.
• human/animal behaviour   the scientific study of human behaviour  |  detailed observations of animal behaviour
• criminal behaviour   There are many theories as to what causes criminal behaviour.
• sexual behaviour   a survey of human sexual behaviour

- behaviour + noun

• behaviour problems  She teaches children with behaviour problems.

- phrases

• standards of behaviour  declining standards of behaviour among young people  |  It’s a parent’s job to instruct children in acceptable standards of behaviour.
• a pattern of behaviour  Different patterns of behaviour exist in different cultures.

- verbs:

• change your behaviour  (also modify your behaviour formal)  He has no reason to change his behaviour.
• influence sb’s behaviour  The genes we inherit influence our behaviour.

- Thesaurus:

• Behavior the way someone behaves :  Chemicals added to food may be responsible for children’s bad behaviour.  |  Tatsuya apologized for his behaviour towards me.
• conduct   formal  the way someone behaves in public or in their job – used mainly in official or legal contexts :  Bates was arrested and charged with  disorderly conduct  (= noisy and violent ) .  |  The committee found him guilty of unsatisfactory  professional conduct .
• manner   the way someone behaves when they are talking to or dealing with other people, which is shown in their expression, their voice etc :  She had a pleasant friendly manner.  |  Suddenly his whole manner changed, and he started shouting.  |  His initial manner towards her had been rather formal.
• demeanour   British English ,  demeanor   American English   formal   the way someone looks and behaves, which shows you something about their character or feelings :  She maintained a calm demeanour at all times.  |  Wenger’s demeanour suggested that he was not happy with the situation.
• antics   someone’s behaviour – used when you think it is silly, funny, strange, or annoying :  The drunken antics of some English football fans has brought shame on the country.  |  The actor is becoming known for his increasingly bizarre off-screen antics.

 
 References:

• Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition ,© Cambridge University Press 2013
• Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5th Edition ,© Pearson Education Limited 2009
• Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 8th edition

Conversation Questions about Behavior