conduct electricity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'conduct electricity' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when discussing electricity transmission, wiring, and other topics related to electrical currents. For example: "This material is useful for wiring because it conducts electricity effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Unlike their constituent elements, which tend to be good electrical conductors, quasicrystals conduct electricity poorly.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Electrical tape will not conduct electricity and prevents short circuits and electrical fires.

HuffPost

Skin conductance is a measure of the ability of sweat to conduct electricity.

Huffington Post

These conduct electricity and act like an armature of a generator thereby generating an electric current.

Wikipedia

Hence, metals conduct electricity.

The New Yorker

The sodium and chloride ions in salt water conduct electricity.

The Economist

In one episode, Sylvia made dough that can conduct electricity.

The New York Times - Science

The carbon nanotubes are there to conduct electricity.

The Economist

When materials conduct electricity, some energy is wasted as heat.

MIT Technology Review

Such materials must conduct electricity well but heat badly.

MIT Technology Review

Good thermoelectrics need to conduct electricity well but heat poorly.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a material's electrical properties, use "conduct electricity" to clearly indicate its ability to allow electric current to flow. For example: "Copper wires are used in electrical circuits because they "conduct electricity" efficiently."

Common error

Avoid using "conduct electricity" when describing related but distinct properties such as voltage, resistance, or current. "Conduct electricity" refers specifically to the ability to transmit electrical current, not the characteristics of the current itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conduct electricity" functions as a verb phrase, where "conduct" is the verb and "electricity" is the direct object. It indicates the action of allowing electrical current to flow through a material or substance. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "conduct electricity" is a grammatically correct and widely used term to describe a material's ability to allow electrical current to flow through it. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently employed in various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and encyclopedic sources. The analysis reveals that "conduct electricity" serves the purpose of describing electrical conductivity and is generally used in a neutral to formal register. When writing, remember to use "conduct electricity" when referring specifically to the ability to transmit current, and consider alternative phrases like "transmit electricity" or "carry electrical current" to vary your language. Overall, understanding the proper usage of "conduct electricity" ensures clarity and accuracy in technical and scientific writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

transmit electricity

Focuses on the act of sending electricity from one point to another, emphasizing the movement of electrical energy.

carry electrical current

Highlights the flow of electrical charge, specifying "electrical current" as what is being transported.

allow electrical flow

Emphasizes permission or enablement of electrical movement.

facilitate electron flow

Uses more technical terminology, focusing on the movement of electrons.

provide electrical conductivity

Highlights the property that allows electricity to flow, rather than the action itself.

pass electrical energy

Similar to "transmit electricity", but with a focus on electrical energy rather than current.

support electrical conduction

Focuses on the structural or material properties that enable the flow of electricity.

enable current passage

Highlights enabling the movement of current through a medium.

offer electrical pathway

Suggests the existence of a route or channel for electricity.

exhibit electrical conductance

Emphasizes the material property of conductance as the reason why electricity flows.

FAQs

How can I use "conduct electricity" in a sentence?

You can use "conduct electricity" to describe a material's ability to transmit electrical current. For example: "Metals like copper and aluminum "conduct electricity" well, making them suitable for electrical wiring."

What is a good alternative to "conduct electricity"?

Alternatives include "transmit electricity", "carry electrical current", or "allow electrical flow" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "conduct electricity" or "conducts electricity"?

"Conduct electricity" is used when referring to the general ability of a material or substance, while "conducts electricity" is used when describing a specific instance or when the subject is singular. For example: "Metals "conduct electricity"" versus "This wire "conducts electricity" effectively."

What's the difference between "conduct electricity" and "generate electricity"?

"Conduct electricity" refers to the ability of a material to allow electrical current to flow through it, whereas "generate electricity" refers to the process of creating electrical energy from other forms of energy.