Behaviour

tolerate a behaviour

Go and report to the head teacher immediately. I’m not standing for this sort of behaviour in my classroom any longer. I simply will not tolerate your appalling behaviour.

affect a behaviour

An insecure family environment can only affect a child’s behaviour in a negative way.

criticise a behaviour

I don’t know why you’re criticising my behaviour! You’re not exactly perfect yourself.

explain a behaviour

How do you explain her behaviour at the party last night? She was rude to almost everybody he talked to, which isn’t like her. I’m certainly baffled by her behaviour.

apologise for a behaviour

The President has apologized for his behaviour, but many people are unwilling to accept that and feel that he should resign.

improve a behaviour

Terry can be a real nuisance in class, but I must say his behaviour has improved a lot recently.

change a behaviour

You can change your behaviour, but you can’t change your personality!

disgraceful behaviour

The crowd booed when the national anthem was played at the beginning of the football match.

>I find that sort of behaviour disgraceful It’s completely unacceptable.

obsessive behaviour

My mother’s problem is she washes her hands over and over again. As you can imagine, this kind of obsessive behaviour can be difficult to live with.

violent behaviour

The latest studies seem to show that computer games encourage violent and aggressive behaviour in young children.

eccentric behaviour

Our chemistry teacher is everyone’s idea of a mad scientist. His behaviour is somewhat eccentric. It’s hard to predict what he’ll do next.

good behaviour

It is important that teachers reward good behaviour.

anti-social behaviour

There’s no question that playing loud music after midnight in a flat is anti-social behaviour.

standards of behaviour

Our school demands the highest standards of behaviour from its students.

explanation for behaviour

I don’t understand why Maria just got up and walked out. Did she offer any explanation for her strange behaviour?

excuse for behaviour

Nobody should behave like that in public. There’s no excuse for that kind of behaviour.

bounds of behaviour

Leaving her to walk home alone so late at night was outside the bounds of acceptable behaviour. I think you should apologise to her.

improvement in behaviour

Since our daughter started her treatment, there’s been a definite improvement in her behaviour. She’s much less aggressive at school.

model of behaviour

The boy next door is always in trouble with the police. However, when he was at school he was a model of good behaviour.

Notes   

Note the following ways of expressing your disapproval of someone’s behaviour:

• There’s really no need for that sort of behaviour.
• This kind of behaviour just won’t do.
• Your behaviour leaves a lot to be desired.
• His behaviour at the meeting was inappropriate.

Good behaviour can be excellent or exemplary.

Bad behaviour can be unacceptable, strange, violent and undesirable.

Note the expression ‘be on your best behaviour:

• Now, you’re meeting my parents tomorrow. Please be on your best behaviour!

Note these types of behaviour:

• We need to understand the causes of criminal behaviour.
• We’ve learned a lot from animal behaviour.

Behaviour is often followed by to or towards:

• I can understand Geoff’s behaviour towards Steve.
• Steve never paid back the money he borrowed.