leads on

USAGE SUMMARY

"leads on" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to guide or direct someone or something towards a certain direction or goal. Example: Her enthusiasm and determination lead the team on to victory in the championship game.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sudmalis leads on 50.2%.

The Guardian

Chris Froome leads on 71hr 02min 19sec.

The Guardian - Sport

Leads on good stories are very welcome.

MIT Technology Review

Police have no leads on the killers.

The Guardian

This leads, on day six, to your full motorcycle test.

The Guardian - Travel

It leads on directly to a ladder stile.

The Guardian - Travel

Will it produce fresh leads on al-Qaida?

The Guardian

Alicia Wood leads on business development for Housing Options.

The Guardian

(p5) G2 leads on the phenomenon that is Judy Finnigan.

The Guardian

He is well regarded and leads on digital policing.

The Guardian

Jordan Marshall leads on the coordination of IPSE's policy development.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "leads on" to clearly indicate the direction or progression of a process, argument, or narrative. This helps maintain clarity and coherence in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using the base form 'lead' when the past tense 'led' is required. For instance, it's incorrect to say "This leads to a problem," when you mean "This led to a problem."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "leads on" is a phrasal verb, often acting as a transitive verb when it takes a direct object. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase directs or guides something toward a specific goal. Examples from Ludwig's data confirm this usage across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

21%

Science

11%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "leads on" is grammatically sound and frequently used in English, especially in news and media contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase signifies direction, progression, or influence. It's essential to use the correct tense ('led' for past tense) and be mindful of the subject-verb agreement. Alternatives include "guides forward" and "progresses to", depending on the context. The widespread usage and clear meaning make "leads on" a valuable phrase for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

takes the lead on

Emphasizes the act of assuming responsibility and guiding an initiative.

guides forward

Highlights the action of directing something towards a specific direction.

advances towards

Focuses on the progression or movement in a particular direction.

progresses to

Indicates a transition or development into the next stage or phase.

sets the stage for

Highlights the preparatory action that enables further development or action.

paves the way for

Suggests clearing obstacles to facilitate future progress.

ushers in

Implies introducing or beginning a new era or development.

directs attention to

Emphasizes the action of guiding focus or interest towards something specific.

exerts influence on

Highlights the exercise of power or impact on something.

has control over

Indicates the possession of authority or dominance in a particular area.

FAQs

How can I use "leads on" in a sentence?

Use "leads on" to show progression or direction. For example, "This evidence "leads on" to further investigation" indicates the evidence guides the investigation forward.

What is a good alternative to "leads on"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "guides forward", "progresses to", or "paves the way for".

Is it correct to say "lead on" instead of "leads on"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "lead on" with plural subjects (e.g., "They lead on") and "leads on" with singular subjects (e.g., "He leads on").

What's the difference between "leads on" and "misleads"?

"Leads on" suggests guidance or direction, whereas "misleads" implies deceiving or guiding someone in the wrong direction.