behaving that way

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "behaving that way" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's actions or conduct in a particular manner, often implying disapproval or concern. Example: "I don't understand why he is behaving that way during the meeting; it's unprofessional."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

"In our experience, we haven't seen women behaving that way.

The New York Times

"It shouldn't be that Mark Zuckerberg gets away with behaving that way," Cameron Winklevoss said.

The New York Times

Imagine them behaving that way if I went to a job interview.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I just feel like people aren't participating in the community of the room when they're behaving that way".

The New York Times - Magazine

That would never happen elsewhere but at a rugby ground, people behaving that way are not welcome.

The Guardian - Sport

"He essentially asked for her to go nuclear by behaving that way," one top state Republican official said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

In the past the region has often behaved that way.

The New York Times

In all of my participation in sports, no player had ever behaved that way".

The New York Times - Sports

At Altamont the Angels treated the crowd like animals, so it's not surprising some behaved that way.

The New Yorker

"Our biggest fear is that they'll enslave us," the astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson notes early in Part 2. "We think this because we've already behaved that way.

The New York Times - Arts

He has behaved that way ever since.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "behaving that way" to describe actions that deviate from expected norms or standards in a given context. For example, 'I couldn't understand why she was "behaving that way" at the meeting.'

Common error

Avoid overuse of "behaving that way" in a single piece of writing. Vary your descriptions of behavior with more specific and descriptive language to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "behaving that way" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and usable, providing a common way to describe someone's conduct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "behaving that way" is a common adverbial phrase used to describe someone's actions or conduct, often with an implication of disapproval or a need for explanation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and versatile, fitting into various contexts. It is most frequently found in News & Media. For alternative expressions, consider "acting like that" or "conducting oneself thus", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. While versatile, be mindful of overuse and aim to incorporate diverse descriptions of behavior in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acting like that

Focuses more on the manner of acting rather than general behavior.

acting in this way

A more direct and less specific way of referring to current actions.

acting in that manner

Highlights the specific way someone is acting.

reacting that way

Specifically refers to the way someone responds to a situation.

conducting oneself thus

More formal and emphasizes self-control and mannerism.

responding in that fashion

Emphasizes the reaction or response in a particular manner.

performing in such a way

Highlights the performance or execution of an action.

carrying on like that

Implies a sense of disapproval or exaggeration in the behavior.

going on like that

Suggests a continuation of a certain behavior over time.

proceeding in that fashion

Focuses on the continuation of a course of action.

FAQs

How can I use "behaving that way" in a sentence?

You can use "behaving that way" to describe someone's actions or conduct in a particular manner, often implying disapproval or concern. For example: "I don't understand why he is "behaving that way" during the meeting; it's unprofessional."

What can I say instead of "behaving that way"?

You can use alternatives like "acting like that", "conducting oneself thus", or "acting in that manner" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "behaving that way" or "acting that way"?

Both "behaving that way" and "acting that way" are correct and can be used interchangeably. However, "behaving that way" might imply a slightly broader scope of conduct, while "acting that way" focuses more on specific actions.

What's the difference between "behaving that way" and "being that way"?

"Behaving that way" refers to actions and conduct, whereas "being that way" refers to a state of existence or inherent characteristic. For example, "He's "behaving that way" because he's nervous" (action), vs. "He's just "being that way"; it's his nature" (characteristic).