leads like that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leads like that" is not correct in standard written English and lacks clarity.
It may be used in informal contexts, but it requires additional context to convey a clear meaning. Example: "In a discussion about leadership styles, one might say, 'Effective leaders inspire their teams, but not everyone leads like that.'"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But you cannot afford to give top players leads like that".

BBC

When he was told that the Braves had won and led the Mets by nine and a half games, he shook his head and said the Braves don't squander leads like that.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"I did feel the nerves in the second set and I was feeling a bit sick as we've never actually led like that in a final.

The Guardian - Sport

Chaney said that Sprewell and Allan Houston were both making an effort to lead, and I like that.

The New York Times - Sports

Pace, for one, said of Belichick: "I just think he looked at it as he's got a guy who won games in Tom Brady over and over who has led drives like that.

The Guardian - Sport

Even the beleaguered Red Sox bullpen can hold a lead like that.

The New York Times - Sports

"You can't give up a lead like that and then lose the game.

The New York Times - Sports

"Are you crazy?" Marbury said: "We shouldn't have lost the lead like that.

The New York Times - Sports

But we're not seeing polls in Colorado, or Virginia, that give him a lead like that on a consistent basis.

The New York Times

"You try to come and block everything out, but it is tough to get out there every day and to have a lead like that and to let it slip away".

The New York Times - Sports

Inspection of the 52 structures unique to this source (column 8) shows lead-like structures that were absent from PubChem.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "leads like that", ensure the context clearly defines what "that" refers to. Without clear context, the phrase can be vague and confusing. It's preferable to specify the type of leads being discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "leads like that" without providing clear context. The pronoun "that" should have a direct and easily identifiable antecedent. Without it, the phrase becomes ambiguous. Consider alternatives that provide specificity or rephrase for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leads like that" functions as a referential expression, pointing back to previously discussed advantages or opportunities. It relies on shared context for its meaning. Ludwig indicates that this phrasing is not considered standard written English and requires additional context to convey meaning clearly.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

27%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "leads like that" is a phrase used to refer back to previously mentioned advantages, opportunities, or initial phases, drawing a comparison based on shared characteristics. However, Ludwig notes that it's not considered standard English and relies heavily on contextual clarity. While it's more common in news and general media, it's less suited for formal writing. For enhanced clarity and precision, consider alternatives such as "advantages of that nature" or "starts like those". Ensure that the reference for "that" is clear to avoid ambiguity. Use the phrase with caution, prioritizing clarity and context to effectively convey your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advantages of that nature

This alternative emphasizes the positive aspect (advantages) and refers to a similar type or nature.

edges of that kind

Focuses on having an advantage, specified as being of a similar kind.

advantages such as those

Highlights the benefits, specifying they are similar to previously mentioned ones.

head starts akin to that

Emphasizes the initial advantage, similar to what was previously described.

starts like those

Focuses on the initial phase, indicating similarity to previous examples.

gains of that nature

Highlights the improvements or profits made in a comparable situation.

superiorities like that

Emphasizes being in a better position, referring to similar situations.

betterments of the kind

Focuses on improvements, specified as being of a similar type.

plus points such as those

Highlights the positive aspects, specifying they are similar to what was previously mentioned.

merits of that kind

Focuses on the positive qualities, specified as being of a similar nature.

FAQs

How can I use "leads like that" in a sentence?

Using "leads like that" requires a clear reference to what "that" is referring to. For example, in a discussion about specific marketing strategies, you might say, "After implementing the new SEO techniques, we started getting "leads like that" we discussed in the meeting".

What are some alternatives to "leads like that"?

Alternatives to "leads like that" include phrases such as "advantages of that nature", "starts like those" or "edges of that kind". These alternatives can offer more clarity depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "leads like that"?

While commonly understood, "leads like that" is not strictly grammatically precise. It relies heavily on context. More formal writing might benefit from alternatives that explicitly state what "that" refers to.

What does "leads like that" generally refer to?

"Leads like that" generally refers to specific advantages or opportunities that are similar to ones previously mentioned or understood within a given context. However, without explicit context, its meaning can be vague.