Grammar fix
condescend to
act superior
To speak or behave as if someone is less intelligent or important than you are.
How oftenNow and then
LevelC1
Used inSpeech & writing
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
I hate it when doctors condescend to you just because you don't know the medical words.
In my first job, one of the senior guys used to condescend to me in meetings, so for months I was too nervous to ask anything.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: She condescended me in front of everyone.
Say: She condescended to me in front of everyone.
'Condescend' is followed by 'to' before the person.
Don't confuse it
Other ways to say it
Talk down to someone as if they know less
How formalEverydayFormal
talk down toSpeak as though the other person understands less than you.patroniseTreat someone with a superior attitude disguised as helpfulness.
condescend toYou're here · More formal: speak or behave as though someone is inferior.