以上4个单词均有“行为”的含义。act多指按自己的意愿已经完成的行为[1]。除指已完成行为外，action还表示正在进行的行为或者指完成行为的程序[2]。deed常指需极大勇气、情操、 智慧、力量或技能所取得的成就行为[3]。performance所指的行为常与行为人作为时的方式相关[4]。
    
[1 ] "Something done or performed. ”Cf. Bryan A. Gamer, Black's Law Dictionary, 7th edition, at p. 24，West Group (1999). “An act, in the sense considered here, is something that is done. ”Cf. The Editors of the Reader's Digest, Use the Right Word, at p.5，The Reader's Digest Association Proprietary Ltd. (1971 ). “ Some thing done by a person in accordance with his or her free will. ” Cf. Linda Picard Wood, J. D. , Meniam Webster's Dictionary of Law, at p. 10, Merriam-Webster, Incorporated (1996).
[2 ] "Thing which has been done. " Cf. P. H. Collin, Dictionary of Law, 2nd edition, at p. 8, Peter Collin Publishing Ltd. (1993 ). "Action refers to the accomplishing of something or the process by which it is accomplished." Cf. The Editors of the Reader's Digest, Use the Right Word, at p. 5, The Reader's Digest Association Proprietary Ltd. (1971).
[3 ]“Deed，while sometimes used to connote any act, is usually in meaning an achievement of great courage, nobility, intelligence, strength or skill. ”Cf. The Editors of the Reader's Digest，Use the Right Word, at p.5，The Reader's Digest Association Proprietary Ltd. (1971).
[4 ]“The performance of a person is the manner in which he carries out the acts that are part of his job's routine. ” Id. at p. 6.