leads play

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leads play" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to the roles or actions of leaders in a specific context, but as it stands, it lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "In this project, the leads play a crucial role in guiding the team towards success."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Dr. Maricle, 40, will be very public tonight when she and the Diva Jazz Orchestra, which she leads, play Carnegie Hall.

The New York Times

Over in Kenya, Mary regularly leads play activities with post-graduate university students to explore how to design schools and learning spaces in refugee camps and communities affected by war, conflict, and natural disasters.

Huffington Post

The significant contribution that NMP leads play in embedding NMP within organisations should be acknowledged by clearer national guidance for this role and its responsibilities.

BMC Health Services Research

The significant contribution that NMP leads play in embedding NMP within organisations should be acknowledged by clearer national guidance for the role, its responsibilities and workload.

BMC Health Services Research

In their University of Southern California dorm room, the two leads play a basketball version of strip poker.

The New York Times

Equally, though supporting players such as Gillian Anderson as a viperous madam go heavy on the ham, the leads play it admirably straight.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Each player in rotation must follow suit to the card led (play a card of the same suit).

Encyclopedia Britannica

The leads played straight man for the kids, while housekeeper Ann B Davis provided the broader strokes.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

There are few shows with Asian-American leads playing Americans, rather than Asian immigrants.

Huffington Post

Actually, he's one of the leads, playing Aniston's husband.

Huffington Post

Forgoing the good cop/existential-despair cop buddy formula of season one, this season follows four leads played by four notable actors.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending to convey leadership in an activity, consider using more precise verbs such as "guide", "direct", or "oversee" to enhance clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "leads play" as a direct verb-object construction. It often sounds awkward. Instead, clarify the sentence to specify what is being led or played, or use a more appropriate verb. For example, instead of "The manager leads play", try "The manager guides the team's strategy" or "The manager directs the team's actions".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leads play" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "leads" acts as a verb indicating direction or guidance, and "play" functions as a noun referring to an activity or performance. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase can often sound awkward and may not always be grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "leads play" is used to describe the action of directing or guiding an activity. However, Ludwig AI analysis reveals that this phrase is often grammatically awkward and may not be the most effective choice for clear communication. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, but its usage is relatively uncommon overall.

When writing, consider using alternative phrases such as "directs the action", "guides the performance", or "oversees the game" for better clarity and grammatical correctness. These alternatives offer more precise and natural-sounding ways to convey the intended meaning. Although "leads play" might be acceptable in very specific informal contexts, it's generally better to opt for more conventional phrasing to avoid ambiguity and ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

directs performance

Replaces 'leads' with 'directs', focusing on guidance of a performance.

guides gameplay

Substitutes 'leads' with 'guides' and 'play' with 'gameplay', emphasizing direction in a game context.

oversees performance

Replaces 'leads' with 'oversees', highlighting a supervisory role.

spearheads activity

Uses 'spearheads' instead of 'leads', suggesting an initiative or pioneering role.

conducts action

Replaces 'leads' with 'conducts' and 'play' with 'action', focusing on management of a specific action.

presides over game

Uses 'presides over' instead of 'leads', implying formal control of a game.

takes charge of game

Replaces 'leads' with 'takes charge of', emphasizing responsibility and control.

steers performance

Substitutes 'leads' with 'steers', suggesting guidance and navigation through a performance.

controls execution

Replaces 'leads' with 'controls' and 'play' with 'execution', focusing on management of an execution.

drives involvement

Uses 'drives' instead of 'leads' and 'play' with 'involvement', emphasizing motivation and engagement.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "leads play" to sound more natural?

Consider alternatives like "guides the action", "directs the performance", or "oversees the game". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "leads play" grammatically correct in all contexts?

No, "leads play" can sound awkward or grammatically incorrect in many contexts. It's often better to use a more specific verb to clarify the intended meaning.

What's a more formal alternative to "leads play"?

In formal settings, use phrases such as "directs the proceedings", "manages the execution", or "spearheads the involvement".

When is it appropriate to use "leads play"?

While not always ideal, "leads play" might be acceptable in very specific technical or informal contexts where the meaning is clear. However, it's generally safer to opt for more conventional phrasing.