lead up to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lead up to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to something that precedes or prepares for a particular event or conclusion. For example, "The summer months lead up to the start of the school year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Then lead up to it.

The Guardian

Steps lead up to the trail.

The New York Times

That's where this was going to lead up to".

The New York Times

That took the All Blacks lead up to seven.

The Guardian - Sport

Charles lead up to the fifth round, and as the bell rang Charles looked very gay.

The New Yorker

In the long run, such local conceptions could lead up to a big national delivery.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

It is the lead-up to them.

The New York Times - Sports

In the lead-up to the summit.

The Guardian

The lead-up to a first date should be fun.

Independent

The lead-up to the Luton march was frenzied.

The New Yorker

It has built annually in the lead-up to 2014.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lead up to" to clearly indicate a sequence of events or actions that precede and contribute to a specific outcome. This helps create a narrative flow and emphasizes causality.

Common error

Avoid using "lead up to" when describing events that follow a particular outcome. The phrase specifically denotes actions or occurrences that precede and influence a final event, not the other way around.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lead up to" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating a series of actions, events, or circumstances that precede and prepare for a particular outcome or event. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples showing its use in setting context and establishing causality.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

24%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "lead up to" is commonly used to describe a series of events that precede and contribute to a specific outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and wiki sources. While it is suitable for both formal and informal writing, it is important to use it accurately to denote events preceding an outcome, not following it. Alternative phrases such as "pave the way for" or "build toward" can provide similar meanings depending on the specific context. By understanding its proper usage and exploring related phrases, writers can effectively convey sequences of events and establish clear causality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pave the way for

Focuses on creating conditions for a subsequent event, emphasizing preparation.

set the stage for

Highlights the arrangement of circumstances before an event, emphasizing anticipation.

build toward

Implies a gradual progression towards a final event, emphasizing development.

culminate in

Emphasizes the final result of a series of events.

move towards

Suggests directional progress with less emphasis on a specific final event.

work up to

Implies effort and gradual progression to reach a goal.

contribute to

Highlights the contribution of multiple factors to an event.

result in

Focuses on the consequence or outcome of a series of events.

prepare for

Emphasizes the preparatory actions taken before an event.

bring about

Highlights the act of causing or initiating an event.

FAQs

How can I use "lead up to" in a sentence?

Use "lead up to" to describe a series of events that precede and contribute to a specific outcome. For example, "The months of training "lead up to" the marathon race".

What is a good alternative to "lead up to"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "lead up to" include "culminate in", "pave the way for", or "build toward".

Is "lead up to" formal or informal?

"Lead up to" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

What's the difference between "lead up to" and "result in"?

"Lead up to" describes the events that precede and influence an outcome, while "result in" focuses on the outcome itself. For example, "The debates "lead up to" the election," whereas "The election "result in" a new government".