I behaved as they did vs I acted as they did

Both phrases are correct and can be used interchangeably. They convey the same meaning of mimicking someone else's behavior. There is no significant difference in meaning between 'behaved' and 'acted' in this context.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 880 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"I behaved as they did"

This phrase is used to indicate that you imitated or copied the behavior of someone else.

Show examples from the web [+]

I haven't been much of a mother to you, and I thought it was about time I behaved as such.
Look, I behaved professionally with Tensley.
I'm embarrassed, I behaved like a fool.
I suppose you think I behaved very badly down there.
I owe you for the way I behaved.
Probably why I behaved like I did.
I know I behaved badly with your parents.
I know I behaved badly with you and Micheline...
I'd give anything to change the way I behaved.
I'm very sorry for how I behaved in the beginning.
I told youyou should've stayed hometo make sure I behaved.
I still think I behaved badly.
- I still think I behaved badly.
I behaved very badly towards you.
I behaved abominably, especially towards you, Uncle.
My apologies... if I behaved badly before.
I behaved like such a fool.
While I behaved... like a wimp.
I behaved so terribly last night.
I behaved like a dog with you.

Alternatives:

I acted like they did
I mimicked their behavior
I copied their actions
I emulated them
I mirrored their behavior

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"I acted as they did"

This phrase is used to convey the idea that you replicated the actions or behavior of someone else.

Show examples from the web [+]

They give you money because I acted as guarantor.
I acted as deputy to Italy's Finance Minister in all these fora.
In August 2007 it held parliamentary elections at which I acted as an observer.
The same to Malta, for which I acted as shadow rapporteur.
-... it'll prove that I acted as a patriot.
I acted as though we were just friends each time I saw her, which wasn't very often, I can tell you that.
Mr President, Commissioner, when we debated the seed directive here in Parliament in the mid-1990s, I acted as rapporteur for the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development.
Therefore, I consider as the most significant the contribution I made to decisions taken by the Italian Court of Auditors, where I acted as "Rapporteur".
- History should reflect that I acted admirably.
I acted up. I acted outrageous.
In view of the fact that, in a former job, I acted as a consultant for one of the interested parties in this matter, I have today abstained from voting on these reports, in other words, and.
In the opinion of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, for which I acted as draftsman, the European Union must guarantee its citizens a high level of legal security.
I'm afraid I acted somewhat impulsively while I was gone.
I acted weird on purpose when I left to make Andy suspicious.
I was jealous of Ben and I acted like a child.
That's the way I saw it and I acted accordingly.
I was hurt and I acted like an idiot.
You may imagine what I felt and how I acted.
I never had his respect, so I acted out.
I can't believe how I acted at dinner.

Alternatives:

I behaved like they did
I imitated their actions
I copied their behavior
I emulated their behavior
I mirrored their actions

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I behaved as they did vs I acted as they did