lead
HighNeutral (used across formal, informal, and technical contexts)
Definition
Meaning
To guide or direct someone or something along a path; to be in charge or ahead of others.
To influence or persuade someone's actions or opinions; to have a particular result or consequence; to be the principal performer or element in something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb 'lead' (present tense) is a homograph with the noun 'lead' (the metal). The past tense and past participle form is 'led', which is a common spelling error. The verb implies active guidance, causation, or precedence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling of related words may differ (e.g., 'lead' vs. 'led' confusion is common in both).
Connotations
Equally positive/neutral in both varieties when referring to guidance. In business/sports, 'to lead' is strongly positive.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
lead + object (She leads the project)lead + to + result (This leads to problems)lead + object + to + infinitive (He led me to believe)lead + adverb/preposition (The path leads north)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Lead someone up the garden path”
- “Lead with one's chin”
- “Lead a dog's life”
- “All roads lead to Rome”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To be in charge of a team, project, or company; to be ahead in a market.
Academic
To be the principal researcher or author; to cause or result in (as in 'lead to conclusions').
Everyday
To show someone the way; to be winning in a game or competition.
Technical
In electronics, a connecting wire; in journalism, the introductory paragraph.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She will lead the expedition to the Scottish Highlands.
- His actions could lead to a formal enquiry.
- The guide led us through the museum.
American English
- She will lead the expedition to the Rocky Mountains.
- His actions could lead to a formal investigation.
- The tour guide led us through the gallery.
adverb
British English
- Not commonly used as a standalone adverb. Typically part of phrasal verbs (e.g., 'lead off', 'lead in').
American English
- Not commonly used as a standalone adverb. Typically part of phrasal verbs (e.g., 'lead off', 'lead in').
adjective
British English
- She is the lead researcher on the project.
- He has the lead role in the play.
- This is the lead story in the news.
American English
- She is the lead researcher on the project.
- He has the lead role in the show.
- This is the lead story on the news.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please lead the way to the station.
- Dogs often lead blind people.
- This road leads to the city centre.
- She leads a very healthy lifestyle.
- The manager leads a team of ten people.
- Too much sugar can lead to health problems.
- The new evidence could lead to a retrial.
- He has the qualities needed to lead the organisation.
- Her research led her to a surprising conclusion.
- The company leads the market in innovative design.
- His charismatic rhetoric led the populace to support radical change.
- The investigation was led by an independent committee.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a LEADer at the front, showing the way. Both words start with 'LEA'.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORITY IS FRONT POSITION (to lead is to be ahead); CONTROL IS GUIDANCE (to lead is to steer).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с существительным 'lead' (металл свинец), которое произносится /led/.
- Past tense 'led' (/led/) часто ошибочно пишут как 'lead'.
- Перевод 'вести' может быть как 'lead', так и 'conduct' или 'carry out' в зависимости от контекста.
Common Mistakes
- Writing 'lead' instead of 'led' for the past tense (e.g., 'He lead the team' is incorrect).
- Confusing the verb /liːd/ with the metal /led/.
- Using 'lead to' without an object (needs a consequence: 'It leads to confusion').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'lead' (verb) correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The past tense and past participle is 'led' (pronounced /led/).
The verb is pronounced /liːd/ (like 'need'). The metal is pronounced /led/ (like 'bed').
Yes, 'lead to' is a phrasal verb that must be followed by a noun, noun phrase, or gerund indicating a result or consequence (e.g., lead to success, lead to arguing).
Yes, but with different meanings and pronunciations. It can mean the front position (/liːd/ as in 'take the lead') or the heavy metal (/led/). The context clarifies which is intended.