perform

perform — verb

1. to complete a planned task, duty, test, ritual, or other piece of work.

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to complete a planned task, duty, test, ritual, or other piece of work.

Example

Dr. Huang will perform the knee operation early tomorrow morning.

perform + operation

The lab performs safety checks on every toy before shipping.

perform + checks / test-like task

Common collocations
  • perform an operation
  • perform a test
  • perform a task
  • perform a ritual
  • perform calculations
Synonyms
  • carry out

    close in meaning and common for plans, orders, and instructions

  • conduct

    especially used for tests, surveys, experiments, and interviews

  • execute

    more formal and often technical, legal, or military

  • do

    the everyday verb, much broader and less formal

Grammar Patterns

perform a task

perform an operation

perform a test

perform a ritual

Usage Note

Object is usually a task with a clear procedure, such as an operation, test, duty, ritual, or calculation. More formal than everyday 'do', and very common in passive sentences when the action matters more than the person doing it.

Common Mistakes

The lab performed on the test yesterday.
The lab performed the test yesterday.
this sense takes a direct object, not 'on'.
We performed our homework after dinner.
We did our homework after dinner.
'perform' sounds too formal for ordinary homework.

2. to work at a good or poor standard when a person, machine, business, or system i

2.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to work at a good or poor standard when a person, machine, business, or system is doing its job.

Example

The new printer performed badly after the power cut yesterday.

perform + badly / poorly

Ken performed well in the driving test despite the heavy rain.

perform well in + test

Common collocations
  • perform well
  • perform badly
  • perform poorly
  • perform better
  • perform in a test
Synonyms
  • function

    fits machines and systems especially well, but is less common for people

  • work

    the most everyday choice, especially for machines or plans

  • do

    very common with people, especially in exams, business, or sport

  • operate

    focuses more on machinery or equipment than on people or shops

Antonyms
  • fail

    suggests not working or not reaching the expected standard

Grammar Patterns

perform well

perform badly

perform poorly

perform better than

Usage Note

Usually has no direct object and most often appears with words such as 'well', 'badly', or 'poorly'. Distinguish from sense 1: 'perform a test' means carry it out, but 'perform well in a test' means get good results.

Common Mistakes

The engine performed good on the hill.
The engine performed well on the hill.
use an adverb, not the adjective 'good'.
Ken performed the driving test well.
Ken performed well in the driving test.
without a task object, this sense means the result or quality.

3. to appear before an audience to sing, act, dance, play music, or present a show.

3.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1
Definition

to appear before an audience to sing, act, dance, play music, or present a show.

Example

Mina performed two jazz songs at the school concert.

perform + song / piece

A street band was performing outside Taipei Main Station at noon.

intransitive: perform + place

Common collocations
  • perform on stage
  • perform live
  • perform a song
  • perform for children
  • perform at a concert
Synonyms
  • appear

    focuses on being on stage or in public, not the exact art form

  • play

    works for music or theatre pieces, but not every type of show

  • entertain

    focuses on giving people enjoyment, not just presenting a work

  • present

    more formal and common for organized concerts, plays, or programs

Grammar Patterns

perform on stage

perform for an audience

perform a song

perform in a concert

Usage Note

Can be intransitive when you only mention the event or place, and transitive when you name the piece being presented. Subject is usually a person, group, or trained animal rather than a machine or organization.

Common Mistakes

The singer performed in the song at the wedding.
The singer performed the song at the wedding.
name the music as a direct object.
The dancers performed for the stage at eight.
The dancers performed on the stage at eight.
use 'on stage' or 'on the stage' for the place.
Idioms

work/perform miracles

idiom

to get surprisingly good results in a hard situation, or with very little time, money, or help.

The repair team performed miracles and reopened the bridge before Monday.

With only one stove, Grandma Mei worked miracles for twenty dinner guests.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

For sense 1, perform is more formal than do and is especially common when the action is planned, skilled, official, or technical. Carry out is very close and often fits plans, orders, and instructions. Conduct is narrower and is most natural with tests, surveys, experiments, and interviews. Execute is the most formal of the group and can sound technical, legal, or military. In ordinary daily talk, English speakers usually choose do for simple actions: 'do your homework' is natural, while 'perform your homework' is not. Use perform when the action sounds structured or professional: 'The surgeon performed the operation.' Use conduct for an organized procedure: 'The school conducted a survey.'

do ↗carry out ↗conduct ↗execute ↗

Etymology

Anglo-FrenchOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

Perform came into Middle English from Anglo-French and Old French verbs meaning 'carry out' or 'complete'. Those older forms were connected with the idea of supplying what was needed to finish something, which helps explain why English first used perform for duties and tasks and later also for public presentations.