lead of the game

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lead of the game" is not correct in standard English; it should be "lead in the game." You can use it when discussing the current status of a game, particularly in sports or competitive contexts.
Example: "The team took the lead in the game after scoring two quick goals in the first half."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's the largest U.S. lead of the game.

The New York Times

It was their last lead of the game.

The New York Times - Sports

It was the Giants' last lead of the game.

The New York Times - Sports

It was the Red Storm's first lead of the game.

The New York Times - Sports

Jonah took a lead of the game design and sound generation.

Cornell University

Poulin gave the Canadiens their second two-goal lead of the game at 17:24.

The New York Times - Sports

Army took its only lead of the game, 19-18, early in the final quarter.

The New York Times - Sports

They did not take their first lead of the game until the first overtime.

The New York Times - Sports

Here comes Russell Wilson to try and give his team their first lead of the game.

The Guardian - Sport

The goal erased Montreal's fourth one-goal lead of the game.

The New York Times - Sports

A 3-pointer by Rose gave Indiana its first lead of the game at 75-74.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "lead of the game" is frequently used, prefer "lead in the game" or "game lead" for grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "of" when "in" is the correct preposition to indicate location or state. Always use "in the game" rather than "of the game".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lead of the game" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often indicating a position of advantage in a competitive setting. Although Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect, its prevalence suggests a common understanding of its meaning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

18%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "lead of the game" is a prevalent phrase used to describe being ahead in a competition, it's considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests that the correct phrasing should be "lead in the game" or "game lead". Despite its grammatical issues, the phrase is widely understood, particularly in news and media contexts. Therefore, while its usage is common, opting for grammatically sound alternatives is recommended for formal or professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

game lead

This alternative is a shorter, more direct noun phrase.

advantage in the game

This phrase replaces "lead" with "advantage", focusing on the benefit gained.

ahead in the game

This uses an adjective to describe the state of being in front.

in front in the game

A simpler way of saying that one is ahead of the others.

in the lead during the game

This is a more verbose way of stating the same concept, adding emphasis.

leading the game

This uses a verb to describe the act of being in first place.

holding the lead in the game

Emphasizes the act of maintaining the leading position.

possessing the advantage in the game

Highlights the ownership of the superior position.

controlling the game

This implies a more dominant position than simply being ahead.

on top in the game

This uses a more colloquial expression to indicate dominance.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "lead of the game"?

The grammatically correct way to phrase it is "lead in the game". While "lead of the game" is commonly used, it's not considered standard English.

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

You can use alternatives like "game lead", "advantage in the game", or simply "lead in the game".

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

"Lead in the game" is the grammatically correct phrase. "Lead of the game" is a common but incorrect usage.

Is "lead of the game" considered professional?

While widely used, "lead of the game" is not the most professional choice. Opt for "lead in the game" or "game lead" in formal contexts.