act
We act when there is a particular or urgent need for action.
The surgeons acted quickly to save her life.
We can act in particular ways which aren't normal.
Two men were acting suspiciously outside the bank yesterday evening.
We act when we play a role, in films and plays, but also in real life.
Jack went to drama school because he wanted to learn to act.
I'm acting the part of Romeo in the school play.
Peter is acting as if he doesn't care about the exams - but in fact he's very worried.
I don't speak French so you'll have to act as interpreter when we go to Paris.
Check out phrasal verbs
The police acted on the information they received from witnesses.
( = take action as a result)
Mr Smith's daughter will be acting for him during the enquiry because Mr Smith is too ill to attend.
( = represent)
My car's acting up. I'll have to take it to the garage.
My back's acting up. I'll have to go to the doctor's.
( = develop problems)
Check out expressions and collocations
The expression act out of is often followed by the following nouns that express a reason:
love/necessity/sympathy/compassion/jealousy/greed/desperation/curiosity
She acted out of love.
( = her excuse/reason for doing something was love)
Act is often used with an adverb.
He acted badly.
The following adverbs often collocate with act:
suspiciously/illegally/strangely/responsibly/dishonestly/
Check out how act is different from behave
Behave is a synonym of act when it means to act in a particular way.
Two men were behaving (or acting) suspiciously outside the bank yesterday evening.
Behave does not have the other meanings of act.
The doctors had to act quickly to save John's life. (not behave)
Behave (and not act) is used to describe whether people are well-mannered and don't cause trouble, especially with children.
The children have behaved very well today. (not acted)
Check out other related words
play
perform
take the part of
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