leading article

USAGE SUMMARY

"leading article" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase is typically used to refer to a newspaper or magazine article that expresses the opinion of the publication as a whole and/or is the first or most prominent article in the issue. For example, "The New York Times published a leading article about the importance of voting this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So said a leading article on Thursday.

Independent

Its leading article was carefully calibrated.

The Guardian

But there is no leading article.

The Guardian

See also our leading article today.

The Guardian

The Daily Mirror agrees in a sharply critical leading article.

The Guardian

Neither paper thought it worthy of a leading article.

The Guardian

The Sun leading article, "Give them hope", was compassionate.

The Guardian

This was a leading article reflecting Dacre's personal opinions.

The Guardian

I am publishing The Sun's leading article in full at the end of this posting.

The Guardian

CP Scott writes a leading article to mark the centenary of the paper in May.

The Guardian

A leading article reinforced the paper's antagonism towards the "vulgar annual flaunting" of Tory donors' wealth".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "leading article" when referring to the primary editorial or opinion piece in a newspaper, magazine, or other publication. It clearly indicates the article represents the publication's viewpoint.

Common error

Avoid using "leading article" to describe a regular news story. This term is specifically for editorials or opinion pieces that reflect the publication's stance.

Linguistic Context

Leading article" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject or object in a sentence. It denotes a specific type of article within a publication, as confirmed by Ludwig, which indicates its proper usage in various contexts. This is a noun phrase referring to a specific thing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "leading article" is a common and grammatically correct term used to describe the main editorial or opinion piece in a publication. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's typically found in reputable news and media sources. When writing, remember that "leading article" refers specifically to editorials reflecting the publication's viewpoint, not just any news story. Consider using synonyms like "editorial" or "opinion piece" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

editorial

This is a shorter, more common synonym, often used interchangeably with "leading article".

main editorial

Adds emphasis on it being the primary editorial piece.

key article

Focuses on the importance or significance of the article.

featured article

Highlights the article's prominence in a publication.

opinion piece

Emphasizes the article's subjective and viewpoint-driven nature.

front page article

Refers to the article's placement on the front page, indicating its importance.

lead story

Highlights that the piece is the first and most important story.

cover story

Signifies the article is the main feature of a magazine or publication.

principal article

Replaces "leading" with "principal" to emphasize its primary nature.

chief editorial

Implies the editorial is from the highest authority.

FAQs

How is a "leading article" different from a regular news article?

A "leading article", often called an editorial, presents the opinion of the publication's editors or owners. A news article, in contrast, reports facts and events objectively.

What is another word for "leading article"?

A common synonym for "leading article" is "editorial", which also refers to an opinion piece in a publication.

Where can I find examples of "leading article"?

Examples of "leading article" can be found in the opinion sections of major newspapers like The New York Times or The Guardian, or in magazines like The Economist.

Is it appropriate to use "leading article" in formal writing?

Yes, "leading article" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing journalistic practices or analyzing media content.