but leading

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but leading" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to contrast or add information about a leading action or position. Example: "The project was challenging, but leading the team through it was a rewarding experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But leading parts are becoming increasingly common.

The Guardian - Film

But leading the I.O.C. was undoubtedly a long shot.

The New York Times - Sports

But leading politicians tend to be hirsute and Obama-skinny.

The Economist

But leading politicians seemed divided about what to do.

The Washington Post

But leading Republicans on the committee are also opposed.

The New York Times

But leading bloggers were bursting with ideas last week.

The New York Times

But leading somebody is only half the battle.

The New York Times - Sports

But leading 2-1 with four minutes left, disaster struck.

The Guardian - Sport

But leading an existing firm to innovate like a startup is not business as usual.

University of California, Berkeley

But leading scientists are unlikely to take it up until it achieves respectability.

The Economist

But leading up to it, there were moments of tension and frustration.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but leading", ensure the contrasting element is clearly defined to provide a balanced and understandable sentence. For instance, specify what action or entity the subject is leading towards, and what is being contrasted.

Common error

Avoid using "but leading" when there is no clear contrast. The conjunction "but" indicates a contrast, so ensure that the phrase following it genuinely opposes or balances the previous statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but leading" functions as a transitional phrase, connecting contrasting ideas while emphasizing the action of guidance or direction. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase introduces a shift in perspective or outcome, despite the action of leading.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Social Media

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but leading" serves as a conjunction to introduce contrasting information while highlighting the action of leading. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Its function is to present a shift in perspective, often found in neutral contexts such as news and media, as well as scientific domains. To ensure clarity, it's important to establish a clear contrast in the sentence to ensure correct understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet guiding

Replaces "leading" with a synonym that emphasizes direction and influence, while maintaining the contrastive function of "but".

however directing

Substitutes "leading" with "directing" to denote guidance, using "however" instead of "but" for contrast.

though spearheading

Emphasizes the proactive, initiatory aspect of leadership, replacing "but" with "though" to introduce a contrast.

while piloting

Suggests steering or navigating, similar to leading, but with a focus on control and direction.

nonetheless steering

Replaces "leading" with "steering", highlighting guidance, and uses "nonetheless" to provide contrast.

in contrast, guiding

Explicitly states the contrast, then uses "guiding" to indicate a form of leadership.

conversely, directing

Uses "conversely" to highlight an opposite perspective, replacing "leading" with "directing".

on the contrary, guiding

Emphasizes opposition with "on the contrary", substituting "leading" with the more general term "guiding".

despite steering

Highlights that despite the action of leading, something else happens. "Steering" replaces "leading".

even so, heading

Indicates concession and contrast, "heading" shows a forward directional connotation.

FAQs

How to use "but leading" in a sentence?

Use "but leading" to introduce a contrast while also indicating direction or guidance. For example, "The project was challenging, but leading the team through it was a rewarding experience."

What can I say instead of "but leading"?

You can use alternatives like "yet guiding", "however directing", or "though spearheading" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "but leading" or "and leading"?

"But leading" implies a contrast or shift in direction, while "and leading" suggests continuation or addition. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning. If you want to show contrast, "but leading" is appropriate. If you want to add information, "and leading" works better.

What's the difference between "but leading" and "despite leading"?

"But leading" introduces a contrasting element, whereas "despite leading" acknowledges that something occurs regardless of the leadership. For example, "But leading the team was difficult" contrasts with something positive, while "Despite leading the team, the project failed" shows that the project failed even with leadership.