in the lead

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the lead" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to someone (or a team) being ahead of the competition in a race, contest, or other kind of competition. For example: "After the first day of the competition, our team was in the lead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Kenna was in the lead platoon of the leading company.

The Guardian

Put it in the lead.

The New York Times - Magazine

Who's in the Lead Coffin?

Independent

Sweden, now, in the lead?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Europe back in the lead.

Independent

He was back in the lead.

The New York Times - Sports

He ended up alone in the lead.

The New York Times

"With a woman in the lead role.

Independent

Hamilton sped off in the lead.

The New York Times - Sports

He's in the lead.

The Guardian - Sport

That left Angel Cabrera alone in the lead.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the lead" to clearly indicate when someone or something is ahead or in first position, especially in competitive contexts. For example, "The horse was in the lead for most of the race."

Common error

Avoid using "in the lead" when you mean simply 'involved' or 'participating'. The phrase specifically implies a position of advantage, not just presence. For example, don't say 'He was in the lead of the project' if he was just a team member; instead, use 'He led the project'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the lead" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe its position of advantage. As Ludwig AI explains, this describes being ahead of the competition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the lead" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that someone or something is ahead, especially in competitive situations. Ludwig AI confirms its straightforward usage. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, the phrase carries a neutral tone, making it appropriate for various contexts. For alternatives, consider "ahead of the pack" or "leading the way" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in first place

Directly states the position of being number one in a competition.

ahead of the pack

Indicates being in a superior position compared to competitors, highlighting a larger group.

out in front

A more informal way of saying "in the lead", emphasizing visibility.

leading the way

Emphasizes the act of guiding or directing others, not just being in front.

at the forefront

Highlights being at the cutting edge or most advanced position in a field or endeavor.

holding the advantage

Focuses on possessing a beneficial position, not necessarily being first.

on top

A more general term for being in a dominant or superior position.

controlling the race

Highlights the ability to dictate the pace or direction of a competition.

in the vanguard

Suggests being at the forefront of a movement or change, implying innovation.

taking the initiative

Focuses on being the one to start or drive an action, implying leadership.

FAQs

How to use "in the lead" in a sentence?

You can use "in the lead" to describe someone or something that is ahead or in first position in a competition, race, or other situation where there is a clear ranking. For example, "Our team is "in the lead" after the first round".

What can I say instead of "in the lead"?

You can use alternatives like "ahead of the pack", "leading the way", or "in first place" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "in the lead" or "in lead"?

"In the lead" is the correct and idiomatic phrase when referring to being ahead or in first position. "In lead" is not typically used in this context and would be considered grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "in the lead" and "taking the lead"?

"In the lead" describes a current state of being ahead, while "taking the lead" describes the action of moving into a leading position. For example, "After a strong start, she was in the lead", versus "She made a strategic move, taking the lead in the final lap".