establish a lead

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "establish a lead" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as business, sports, or competition when referring to gaining an advantage over others. Example: "Our marketing strategy aims to establish a lead in the industry by focusing on innovative solutions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

I do think that within a few years London could establish a lead if it could just improve its transport".

The Guardian

And while Mr. Gore has been running a barrage of television advertisements here, he has not been able to establish a lead.

The New York Times

But, with ball continuing to dominate bat, we have seen five wickets fall and Leicestershire establish a lead of 41 at lunch.

The Guardian - Sport

The long descent saw Vincenzo Nibali forge forward and establish a lead over Wiggins of almost a minute, but it proved fruitless come the day's final climb.

Independent

The centre-half's reward, his first in six years and only the third goal of his career, helped establish a lead in this tie which should see Liverpool safely through to the third qualifying stage.

The Guardian - Sport

But there was never any real doubt about the outcome and Huddersfield struck back with two tries in five minutes to establish a lead they never remotely looked like relinquishing.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Moreover, because the majority of activities that lead to in-person meetings are done remotely, we could establish a lead-generation center in a place that is less expensive than our headquarters in New York City, providing a second potential benefit: a lower cost of sales.

The New York Times

There are enough games left for Sporting to re-establish a lead, but first they'll have to remember how to score again.

The Guardian - Sport

Pietersen stretched his long frame to pluck the ball from the sky with little trouble and canter in to re-establish a lead the Boks would take into the break, further embellished by three Pollard penalties.

The Guardian - Sport

Jackson Wray scored the first two, by which Saracens established a lead before the third quarter was out.

The Guardian - Sport

His unbeaten 39 in the first innings was vital in establishing a lead of 58.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a team or individual's performance, use "establish a lead" to emphasize the action of gaining an initial advantage and setting the pace for others to follow.

Common error

Avoid using "establish a lead" in passive constructions that obscure who is taking the lead. Instead of saying "A lead was established", specify who established the lead for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "establish a lead" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "establish" is the verb and "a lead" is the noun phrase functioning as the direct object. It describes the action of creating an advantageous position. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "establish a lead" is a versatile expression used to describe the act of gaining an initial advantage, particularly in competitive situations. As confirmed by Ludwig, its grammatical structure is correct, and it sees common usage across diverse contexts, including news, sports, and business. While alternatives like "take the lead" or "gain an advantage" exist, "establish a lead" specifically highlights the action of creating that initial advantageous position. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who is establishing the lead and avoiding passive constructions. It appears most frequently in news and sports contexts according to Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take the lead

More concise, emphasizing the action of becoming the leader.

gain an advantage

Focuses on obtaining a beneficial position relative to others.

pull ahead

Implies surpassing competitors after being at a similar level.

forge ahead

Emphasizes making progress and surpassing others.

get ahead

A simpler and more general way to say to achieve success.

open up a gap

Highlights creating distance between oneself and competitors.

move into first place

Specifically denotes achieving the top position.

create a buffer

Focuses on building a safety margin over pursuers.

secure a commanding position

Suggests establishing a strong and dominant lead.

outstrip the competition

Highlights exceeding and surpassing rivals significantly.

FAQs

How can I use "establish a lead" in a sentence?

You can use "establish a lead" to describe the action of gaining an initial advantage in various contexts, such as "The team aimed to "establish a lead" early in the game" or "The company is working to "establish a lead" in the market through innovation".

What are some alternatives to "establish a lead"?

Some alternatives to "establish a lead" include "take the lead", "gain an advantage", or "get ahead", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "establish a lead" or "take the lead"?

Both "establish a lead" and "take the lead" are correct, but they emphasize slightly different aspects. "Establish a lead" focuses on creating an initial advantage, while "take the lead" implies assuming a position of leadership.

What's the difference between "establish a lead" and "maintain a lead"?

"Establish a lead" refers to the initial action of gaining an advantage, while "maintain a lead" refers to the ongoing effort to hold onto that advantage once it has been achieved.