lead

USAGE SUMMARY

"lead" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb meaning "to show the way" or "to guide" or as a noun meaning "a principal or an example of someone to follow". Example sentence: The tour guide lead our group through the museum.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That will likely lead, I'm sorry to say, to some people resigning from the government or being fired.

The Guardian

The ambulance staff have warned the protesters that their legs have got very cold which makes the blood supply pool in their feet, this could lead them to faint and fall off the ledge.

The Guardian

Gray only last week said Rudd was able to "get himself into the media … what he can't do is govern and what he can't do is lead the Labor party".

The Guardian

Richard Locke, a political scientist at M.I.T. who is an expert on global supply chains and the author of the new book "The Promise and Limits of Private Power," told me, "Instead of buying lots of inventory with long lead times, brands wait as long as possible before ordering".

The Economist

The lead did not last long.

The New York Times - Sports

They trust this man to lead them into the biggest battle yet to come, the 2015 election.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, a few hours later, Bruno Gollnisch, one of Le Pen's oldest and closest friends announced he would also seek nomination to lead the FN's list.

The Guardian

Quinnipiac has Obama in the lead 51-46 in Virginia and Marist has Romney in the lead 48-47, with a three-point gain from last week.

The Guardian

In Iowa, the memo notes, the campaign has a "lead in vote-by-mail ballots cast, in-person early voting, total voting and total ballots requested".

The Guardian

cleveland.cbslocal.com/2012/10/11/pil… twitter.com/BuzzFeedAndrew… Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 11.30pm BST23 30 Obama showing 3-to-1 lead among Latino voters, Pew finds But will President Obama's lead among Latino voters be undermined by low turnout?

The Guardian

He should be able to get the lead from stall six and may be hard to catch on this drying surface.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lead" as a verb, be mindful of the preposition that follows (e.g., "lead to," "lead with"). Using the wrong preposition can alter the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "lead" when the past tense "led" is required. "Lead" is the present tense, while "led" is the past tense and past participle. For example, "He led the team to victory," not "He lead the team to victory."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "lead" varies depending on context. As a noun, it often functions as a subject or object (e.g., "take the lead"). As a verb, it functions as a predicate (e.g., "lead the team"). Ludwig AI examples illustrate both usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Sport

14%

Film

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "lead" is a versatile term functioning both as a noun and a verb, commonly used to convey the idea of guiding, directing, or holding a position of precedence. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and appropriate for a wide range of contexts. Its frequency is considered "very common", appearing often in "News & Media" and "Sport" contexts. When writing, ensure you use the correct tense ("lead" vs. "led") and be mindful of the prepositions that follow. Alternative phrases such as "guide", "direct" or "take the helm" can be used to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

guide

A general term for directing or influencing a course of action, more broad than "lead".

show the way

A more literal and direct synonym for guiding someone, implying simplicity and clarity.

be at the forefront

Highlights being in the most advanced or influential position, emphasizing innovation or progress.

spearhead

Implies initiating and driving a project or movement, adding a sense of proactive leadership.

pave the way

Suggests creating opportunities or making it easier for others, highlighting facilitation.

take the helm

Indicates taking control or responsibility, shifting the focus from simply guiding to actively managing.

set the standard

Emphasizes establishing a benchmark or level of quality, highlighting excellence and influence.

take precedence

Focuses on having priority or coming before others, emphasizing order and importance.

be in charge

Focuses on having control and responsibility over something, emphasizing management.

exercise authority

Stresses the use of power or control to guide or direct, emphasizing governance.

FAQs

How can I use "lead" in a sentence?

The word "lead" can be used as a noun (e.g., "take the lead") or a verb (e.g., "lead the way"). As a noun, it refers to guidance or precedence. As a verb, it means to guide or direct.

What are some synonyms for "lead" as a verb?

As a verb, "lead" can be replaced with synonyms like "guide", "direct", or "conduct" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "lead" and "led"?

"Lead" is the present tense form of the verb, while "led" is the past tense and past participle. For example, "I will lead the team" (future) vs. "I led the team yesterday" (past).

When is it appropriate to use "lead" as a noun?

The noun form of "lead" is appropriate when referring to a position of guidance, precedence, or advantage, as in "She took the "lead" in the negotiations".