Meaning & use
transact
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Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitive
To do business with someone, especially to buy or sell something or make a financial deal.
Grammar: Can take an object (transact business) or be used without one (we transacted online). Often followed by 'with' to mention the other person.
Patterns
- transact business
- transact with someone
- transact a deal
We transact business with companies all over the world.
The bank allows customers to transact online.
They transacted the deal in a private meeting.
verbtransitive
To carry out an action or process, especially in a formal or official context.
Grammar: Used with an object like 'affairs' or 'matters'.
Patterns
- transact affairs
- transact matters
The committee transacted its official business quickly.
He was appointed to transact the company's legal affairs.
Word forms
| third person singular | transacts |
|---|---|
| past tense | transacted |
| past participle | transacted |
| -ing form | transacting |
Common combinations
- transact business
- Many companies transact business in English.
- transact with someone
- We prefer to transact with local suppliers.
- transact online
- More people now transact online than in person.
- transact a deal
- They transacted a deal worth millions.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- transaction noun
- A piece of business or a financial deal.
- transactional adjective
- Relating to transactions.
Commonly confused: transact or transect?
transact vs transect
Transect means to cut across something, often used in biology; transact means to do business.
Practice
The company ___ most of its business online.
Choose one answer.
'Transact business' takes a direct object without a preposition. 'Transact with' needs a person or company as the object, not 'business'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “transact”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.