lead and following

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lead and following" is not correct in standard English; it should be "leading and following." You can use it in contexts related to dance, teamwork, or any situation where one person guides while another follows.
Example: "In this dance style, the roles of leading and following are essential for a smooth performance."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Is she taking the lead and following up with you?

Harvard Business Review

Mr. Schultz said they discussed letting the industry take the lead and following in the steps of research organizations and industry groups like the USA Rice Federation.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Leading and following is accomplished by having a firm connection between the partners through the arms/shoulders/back, muscles engaged.

WikiHow

If it (Qin) does not win, then we will lead our troops and, following the beating drums, we will march west, and we will certainly conquer Qin.

Lingua Sinica

Australia's AC/DC gained notoriety for a particularly aggressive combination of high-voltage guitar riffs, driving percussion, and a screaming vocal style on the part of lead singer Bon Scott and, following the latter's death, Brian Johnson.

Johns Hopkins University

Feeling without thought can be easily led astray, though, and following what you feel to be right might be proven wrong with a little thought.

WikiHow

"Microsoft has based its reputation on refusing to lead and always following, and once again they're behind the wave here," said Mr. Gelernter, a respected Yale University computer scientist.

The New York Times

In the new humanitarian empire, power is exercised as a condominium, with Washington in the lead, and London, Paris, Berlin and Tokyo following reluctantly behind.

The Guardian - Books

German and French stock markets were also hit by reports of an oil glut and huge surpluses of world stocks of platinum, lead and copper following the slowdown in China, the biggest user of base metals.

The Guardian - Business

He found that songs, consisting of kushaura (lead) and kutsinhira (following) parts, tend to cycle in ways that make it hard to locate a clear beginning and end.

Duke University

At 15:00, the destroyers started their return to Ist with Aldenham in the lead and Atherstone following her at 20 kn.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to roles in a team, use the gerund forms "leading and following" to indicate ongoing processes rather than static labels.

Common error

Avoid using "lead and following" as it's grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "leading and following" when describing actions or roles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lead and following" (ideally expressed as "leading and following") functions as a compound noun phrase. It represents the dual roles or actions of guiding and being guided within a dynamic system. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is not correct in standard English, so we must interpret it in the right way.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lead and following" is used to describe the interplay between guiding and being guided. However, Ludwig flags it as grammatically questionable, advising "leading and following" as the correct form. Although the phrase appears in varied contexts—News & Media, Wiki, and Academia—its rarity indicates it is less conventional. When you consider alternative expressions such as “guiding and supporting” or “directing and complying” be mindful of the subtle differences in meaning they convey. Use the phrase judiciously. When referring to roles in a team, use the gerund forms "leading and following" to indicate ongoing processes rather than static labels.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leading and trailing

Focuses on the action of being in front versus behind, shifting the emphasis from authority to spatial positioning.

guiding and being guided

Emphasizes the act of guidance and support, highlighting a more collaborative dynamic.

directing and complying

Highlights the power dynamic with an emphasis on instruction and adherence.

commanding and obeying

Implies a strict hierarchy and unquestioning adherence to orders.

influencing and adopting

Stresses the impact on decision-making and the acceptance of ideas.

pioneering and emulating

Focuses on innovation and the act of imitating successful strategies.

orchestrating and participating

Suggests a coordinated effort with defined roles and active involvement.

taking the initiative and supporting

Highlights proactive action and the act of providing assistance.

mentoring and learning

Emphasizes a relationship of guidance and knowledge acquisition.

showing the way and coming along

Uses a more informal and directional expression of guidance and following.

FAQs

Is "lead and following" grammatically correct?

No, the grammatically correct form is "leading and following". "Lead" should be in its gerund form to function as a noun in this context.

In what contexts can I use "leading and following"?

You can use "leading and following" in contexts related to dance, teamwork, project management, or any situation where there are roles of guidance and support. For example, "Effective teamwork requires a balance of "leading and following"".

What alternatives can I use instead of "lead and following"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "guiding and supporting", "directing and complying", or "influencing and adopting". Consider the specific nuance you want to convey when choosing an alternative.

How does the meaning change if I use "leading and trailing" instead of "leading and following"?

"Leading and trailing" focuses more on the physical position of being in front or behind, while "leading and following" emphasizes the roles of guidance and support within a dynamic or process.