What’s the Difference Between Led and Lead?
These two words can confuse people because they deal with the same verb. Led is the past tense of the verb lead. In addition to that, lead can also be a noun or adjective.
Because these two words are used for different tenses, they can never be interchanged.
Lead, as a verb, is the opposite of the word follow. It means to go first or to act as a guide. It is the present tense form, and rhymes with seed or feed.
As a noun, lead can mean the first position or a dog’s leash. For both of these meanings, it also rhymes with seed.
Lead can also mean a type of metal. It is the metal labeled Pb on the periodic table of elements. When used in this way, it rhymes with bed or said.
Finally, as an adjective, lead means in the first position.
- Where you lead, I will follow. (verb)
- The race has just begun, and Dasher On the Rampage is in the lead! (noun meaning first position)
- Where is the lead? I want to take the dogs on a walk. (noun meaning dog leash)
- There is lead in the water. It is too dangerous to drink. (noun meaning the metal)
- She is the lead dancer in the play. (adjective)
Led is the past tense form of the verb lead. It rhymes with the word bed or said.
- Harriet Tubman led many slaves to freedom in the mid 1800’s.
It can be hard to remember how to pronounce all the meanings of lead and led.
Let’s practice a few ways you can use these words in your sentences.
Using Lead in a Sentence
When to use lead: Lead can be a verb and mean to go first to show others the way.
It can also be a noun and mean the foremost position, a tool to control a dog while walking, or a soft metal.
Lastly, it can be an adjective and mean first or most important.
For all of these definitions it has a long e sound like in the words bead or creed, with the exception of the metal. The metal is pronounced with a short e sound like red or bled.
For example,
- The tour guide leads tourists through the jungle and points out interesting animals and plants. (verb)
- I bet on greyhound number 3. I’m going to win, because he’s in the lead! (noun)
- My lead broke so my dog escaped and ran around for an hour before I could catch her. (noun)
- Many people believe pencils are made from lead. However, they are actually made from graphite. (noun)
- The lead singer is sick so she won’t appear in tonight’s concert. The fans are all disappointed. (adjective)
Although it might seem overwhelming to remember which of the definitions is pronounced which way, just remember only the metal has the short e sound.
Phrases That Use Lead
There are several common expressions using lead.
- lead up to: preceding something.
- There were many events leading up to the war.
- Lead the way: Go first so that others may follow.
- Fine, if you really want us to enter the haunted house we will. Lead the way.
- Lead to: result in
- Exercising leads to a healthier body.
In both expressions lead has the verb form and, therefore, has the long e pronunciation.
Using Led in a Sentence
When to use led: Led is the past tense and past participle of the verb to lead. It has the short e sound.
For example,
- The quarterback led the football team to victory!
- The music teacher led the class in a song.
There is also the word LED, which is an acronym for light emitting diode. It is pronounced as the three separate letters el ee dee. You can recognize it is different because it appears in all capital letters.
Remembering Led vs. Lead
One way to help you remember which of these verbs is the present tense form and which is the past tense form is that the word present has more letters than the word past, just as lead has more letters than the word led.
Also lead has more definitions than led.
Outside Examples
- Unlike nearly every other team he’s been on, Rose would not be asked to shoulder the brunt of the scoring load, which could lead to him dominating the ball less than his career 27.9(PERCENT) usage rate and open up new avenues for him to impact the game. –Chicago Sun Times
- The 24-year-old Kang and Chella Choi shared the lead heading into the final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Kang won the U.S. Women’s Amateur in 2010 in 2011, but she has never won an LPGA Tour tournament. –Denver Post
- Her work was deeply theoretical, but other mathematicians considered it boldly original and of untold future importance. Her doctoral dissertation, which she completed in 2004, solved two long-standing mathematical problems and led to publications in three major mathematics journals. –Washington Post
- A study published last year in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that the use of Proteus Discover led to greater reductions in blood pressure and cholesterol in patients with uncontrolled hypertension and diabetes than usual care. –Wall Street Journal
Quiz: Lead vs. Led
Select the correct word.
- The conductor __________ the musicians in several beautiful pieces at last night’s performance.
- My dog’s old __________ is so dirty that it’s ___________ to me needing to buy a new one.
- I’ll follow you. _________ the way.
See answers below.
Article Summary
Should I use lead or led? Despite having the same meaning as a verb, one is for the present tense and one is for the past tense. They are also pronounced differently.
- Lead is a present tense verb, and has additional meanings as a noun and adjective.
- Led is the past tense and past participle form of the verb.
Don’t forget to use the long e pronunciation for lead (except when referring to the metal) and the short e pronunciation for led.
Answers from Quiz
- led
- lead, led
- Lead
Led vs. Lead – What’s the Gist?
Homographs have the same spelling, but they may be pronounced differently; and it is this identical spelling that begins the confusion between these two English words.
As a noun, lead can be pronounced either leed or led. As a verb, lead is pronounced leed. Adding to the confusion is that the past tense of the verb lead is led, pronounced led. So how do you keep track of which word you want? To simplify:
- Led is the past tense of the verb lead.
- Lead is a noun, indicating a position or an element, or a verb, meaning to guide.
How to Use Led in a Sentence
Led definition: As a past tense verb, led means to guide or direct. It also has the meaning of something that has begun or been opened.
For example:
- The shepherd dog led the sheep into the pen. (Past Tense Verb)
- After receiving confusing instructions, the man found himself being led on a fool’s errand. (Past Tense Verb)
- The Euchre player led the opening trick with a trump. (Past Tense Verb)
Led is pronounced just one way, as it looks led.
How to Use Lead in a Sentence
Lead definition: Lead leed or led as a noun means to have a position at the front of something leed, or that it is a substance, such as metal or graphite led.
For example:
- The thoroughbred took the lead the last several lengths of the track. (Noun)
- Because of health concerns, the government prohibited household paint from having any lead. (Noun)
- Although mechanical pencils have sharp points, the lead will sometimes break. (Noun)
Lead leed as a verb expresses action as in to guide or to direct activities, operations, and performances. It can also express the action of beginning or opening something.
For example:
- The jockey leads the thoroughbred around the track. (Present Tense Verb)
- The president asked Congress to lead the way in developing bipartisan legislation to improve the infrastructure. (Infinitive)
- The heavy-weight boxer shows a propensity to lead with his left. (Infinitive)
Lead is pronounced two different ways. As a verb, lead is pronounced leed, but as a noun, it is pronounced as either leed or led.
Outside Examples of Led vs. Lead
- Ronald Watts and Kallatt Mohammed led a tactical unit in the Ida B. Wells housing project and carried on a side business shaking down drug dealers and residents, using the threat of arrest to extort money and drugs. –Chicago Sun-Times
- The mountains, meanwhile, saw up to four feet of snow, courtesy of a fire hose of moisture originating in the central Pacific Ocean near Hawaii. This led to exceptionally high snow totals and strong winds, all but shutting down travel across the higher terrain. –The Denver Post
- Two days after Iowa Democrats turned out to caucus, the incomplete results from the gaffe-filled counting of preferences in the nation’s first presidential contest showed former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg continuing to hold a narrow lead. –Chicago Tribune
- The city’s argument for focusing on these neighborhoods was the presence of old housing that was sure to contain lead paint. –Dallas Morning News
Phrases That Use Led and Lead
There are some phrases that use the word led or lead, including:
Led a quiet life: Someone who keeps at home and does simple and peaceful activities.
- The octogenarian led a quiet life by enjoying reading and gardening.
Easily led: The ability to be minimally directed or manipulated by others.
- Because of her naiveté, the child was easily led to take the candy.
Leading role: The main person in one of the dramatic arts or at a place of employment.
- After she had been promoted to marketing direction, she took a leading role in the company’s direction.
Take the lead: A person who assumes a leadership role.
- He was asked to take the lead after the CEO retired.
How to Remember These Words
Because these two words have layered meanings, different parts of speech and tenses of verbs, and both similar and different pronunciations, it is challenging to determine the correct usage.
A simple way to remember what word to use is to determine the function in a sentence. Both led and lead are verbs. Lead leed is the present tense form and led led is the past tense form. Look for action. To determine the noun that means at the front or in the lead leed, remember that leaders leeders are in the front. The idiom get the lead out led may help you remember the substantive. Both in paint and in pencils, you want the lead led out.
For example:
- The crossing guard leads children to safety.
- The crossing guard led the children to safety.
- Leaders should take the lead when others are following.
- The teacher needed extra lead for her mechanical pencils.
Article Summary
Is led or lead correct? Contrary to what you might think, the past tense of the verb lead is not lead led, it’s led. Leaders lead. Pencils have lead.
Furthermore, it is likely that you are looking for the idea of leading, so try the word led if you are writing in the past tense.
- Led is a past tense verb of lead.
- Lead is a noun.
Contents
- 1 Led vs. Lead – What’s the Gist?
- 2 How to Use Led in a Sentence
- 3 How to Use Lead in a Sentence
- 4 Outside Examples of Led vs. Lead
- 5 Phrases That Use Led and Lead
- 6 How to Remember These Words
- 7 Article Summary
Sentences with the word LED?
LED
Examples
- «he was led astray»
- «led a very bad life»
- «the gaudy bandwagon led the circus parade»
- «the company had to declare bankruptcy»; «fraudulent loans led to the failure of many banks»
- «led a dissipated life»; «a betting man»; «a card-playing son of a bitch»; «a gambling fool»; «sporting gents and their ladies»
- «all the clues led the police into blind alleys»; «so far every road that we’ve been down has turned out to be a blind alley»
- «500 horse led the attack»
- «First Joe led; then we switched»
- «the teacher led her charges across the street»
- «led a clean life»
- «he led a small club»; «clubs were trumps»
- «he had good reason to be grateful for the opportunities which they had made available to him and which consequently led to the good position he now held»
- «fearlessly, he led the troops into combat»
- «his loss of credibility led to his resignation»; «losing him is no great deprivation»
- «he led a small diamond»; «diamonds were trumps»
- «the dry vote led by preachers and bootleggers»; «a dry state»
- «his failing the course led to his disqualification»; «he got two flunks on his report»
- «a few weeks ago»; «a few more wagons than usual»; «an invalid’s pleasures are few and far between»; «few roses were still blooming»; «few women have led troops in battle»
- «he was a charter member of the movement»; «politicians have to respect a mass movement»; «he led the national liberation front»
- «led a gay Bohemian life»; «a gay old rogue with an eye for the ladies»
- «he led the queen of hearts»; «hearts were trumps»
- «an honorable man»; «led an honorable life»; «honorable service to his country»
- «ambitious men are led astray by an infection that is almost unavoidable»
- «Hitler’s attack on Poland led up to World War II»
- «she led a somewhat irregular private life»; «maverick politicians»
- «the police are following a promising lead»; «the trail led straight to the perpetrator»
- «Her greed led her to forge the checks»
- «the invention of the microscope led to the discovery of the cell»
- «all my efforts led to naught»
- «panic in the stock market»; «a war scare»; «a bomb scare led them to evacuate the building»
- «the path of virtue»; «we went our separate ways»; «our paths in life led us apart»; «genius usually follows a revolutionary path»
- «illness led to his premature death»; «alcohol brought him to an untimely end»
- «in the 19th century Prussia led the economic and political unification of the German states»
- «led a happy purposeful life»
- «her hands rested quietly in her lap»; «the rock star was quietly led out the back door»; «sit here as quiet as you can»
- «the subjects’ set led them to solve problems the familiar way and to overlook the simpler solution»; «his instructions deliberately gave them the wrong set»
- «led a vagabond life»; «a rootless wanderer»
- «she led a low spade»; «spades were trumps»
- «the thaw between the United States and Russia has led to increased cooperation in world affairs»
- «it led to a train of disasters»
- «clubs were declared trumps»; «a trump can take a trick even when a card of a different suit is led«
- «a wave of emotion swept over him»; «there was a sudden wave of buying before the market closed»; «a wave of conservatism in the country led by the hard right»
- «The children whooped when they were led to the picnic table»
- «he led the Democratic party back from the wilderness»
One letter can make a lot of difference. Led and lead aren’t that different, but they can still be confusing.
-
Lead means to guide someone or something
-
Led is the past tense of lead; as in, someone was previously guided
Lead can also have physical, political, or social connotations. Read on to look at some examples and find out how to use lead and led in a sentence.
What Is the Difference Between Led and Lead?
In simple terms, led is the past tense of lead.
- I led the horse to water. (past tense)
- I lead the horse to water. (present tense)
The main difference between the two words is the the former (led) happened before now (past tense) and the latter (lead) is happening now (present tense).
However, there is one more definition of lead that confuses things a little.
What Is the Definition of Lead?
There are two primary definitions of the word lead. Lead can be a noun, a verb, or an adjective.
-
To control a group of people or a situation. (noun, verb, and adjective)
-
A chemical element with the symbol Pb and atomic number of 82. (noun)
Each definition is pronounced differently:
- Definition 1 of lead rhymes with need
- Definition 2 of lead rhymes with bread
Lead (rhymes with bread) only has one correct usage, and that is as a noun referring to a metallic element.
As a result, we will only be looking at definition 1 of lead, which can be a noun, verb, or adjective. Let’s take a look at how it works as each part of speech.
How Do I Use Lead as a Verb?
A verb is a word that describes an activity or a state of being. The verb lead describes the action of «leading.»
Here are some definitions of lead as a verb:
- To control a group of people or a situation (verb)
Example: Haresh leads this organization from his sofa.
- To live a particular type of life (verb)
Example: They lead a secluded life in the Arctic.
What Are the Rules for Using Lead as a Noun?
A noun is used to describe a person, a place, or a thing. When lead is used as a noun it describes a specific place or position, or an item.
- To be in the front or winning (noun)
Example: I was in the lead until Marcy overtook me less than a mile from the finish.
- A piece of information that allows a discovery to be made (noun)
Example: We have got a new lead on the double homicide case.
When Can I Use Lead as an Adjective?
An adjective is a word that gives an attribute to a noun. When lead is used as an adjective, it describes the most important thing.
- The most important amongst a group of people or products (adjective)
Example: She just got appointed as the lead chef at the restaurant.
How Do You Use Lead in a Sentence?
In 2022, I will be launching my all-new pillow brand. Let me tell you what led me to this decision, with some correct examples of lead in a sentence.
- I followed a lead in my investigation into pillows that helped me discover a gap in the market.
- I decided to let science lead the way and developed groundbreaking new pillow technology.
- When I lead customers on a tour around my shop, they will be sure to buy new pillows.
- When they see how wonderful my products are, they will agree that I am the lead pillow manufacturer.
- In a few years my pillow technology will lead me to victory and I will be a millionaire.
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What Is the Definition of Led?
You will be happy to know that, unlike lead, led only has one primary definition.
Led is the past tense and past participle of lead.
This means that led is used to explain an activity or a state of being that occurred in the past.
Example: The dog led its owner to the treat stand.
The past participle of the verb lead is always spelled led—no need to worry about different forms or word endings.
Examples:
-
We were led to our table by the waiter.
-
He led the seminar on how to improve sales.
-
I was led to believe that there world be free snacks?
How Do You Use Led in a Sentence?
So, now you have been led through most of the definitions, I will lead you through some examples using the word led in a sentence.
- If you had not led me to the stadium, I probably would not have found it.
- My nose led me to the donut van.
- My children led me around the school on a tour.
- Yesterday was Ophelia’s first chance to lead a seminar and she led it very well.
The cheeky final example includes both past and present tense forms of lead. The first instance talks about the act of leading a seminar, so it is in the present tense. The second talks about Ophelia having led the seminar previously, so it is in the past tense.
What Is the Difference Between LED and Led?
Yes, LED is different to led.
- LED is an abbreviation for light-emitting diode
- Led is the past tense form of lead
Unless you led a group of tourists around the LED museum last week, these definitions should be easy for you to keep separate.
How Do You Use Led and LED in a Sentence?
Although it is unlikely that you will get these dissimilar terms confused, it is still worth putting them into context.
- We learned about LED lights in physics today.
- Mr Buxton led the class discussion in physics last week.
- They installed over 50,000 LEDs for the town fair.
- Chandler led the team competently.
What Are Some Other Words That Use Lead?
This is a bonus section with some other word that use lead as their base.
- Leading is a gerund form of the word lead. It can mean the most important out of a group, or the act of guiding someone. Examples: Leading a team is difficult.; We are the leading toothpaste brand.
- Leader is a noun. A person or group can be referred to as the leader. Example: The current leader of Scotland is Nicola Sturgeon.
- Leadership is an adjective which describes the action of leading someone or something. Example: I went on a leadership course where I learned the five top tips for becoming an excellent leader.
To summarize: although a leader should lead people, they do not necessarily have good leadership qualities. Think of a boss who runs the business from the top but does not help any of his colleagues. He is the leader who is leading, but he does not have leadership qualities.
Can you use both words correctly every time?
How Do I Remember When to Use Led or Lead?
The best way to remember the difference is to practice using both words in a sentence.
Led, LED, Lead, and Leads Quiz
Test your knowledge of led vs lead with these 10 questions. Fill in the blanks with led, LED, lead, or leads.
- Theodore Roosevelt ……….. America between 1901 and 1909.
- Most people think pencils are made out of ……….., but they are actually made from graphite.
- Cecelia always ……….. the group on school trips.
- The Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball contains a whopping 32,256 ……….. lights.
- In the 18th century, ……….. was commonly used in make-up.
- Daisy ……….. the 10,000m race until Grace overtook her.
- Andy Reid ……….. the Kansas City Chiefs to victory in 2019.
- I will ……….. my friends on a tour around Edinburgh tomorrow.
- My aunt ……….. the judging for the pie competition last week because she owns a bakery.
- Katherine ……….. the team meeting last week, so it is my turn to ……….. this week.
Download the Lead vs. Led Quiz worksheet
Quiz Answers
1) Led
2) Lead (the metal, rhymes with bread)
3) Leads (the verb, rhymes with needs)
4) LED
5) Lead (the metal, rhymes with bread)
6) Led
7) Led
Lead (the verb, rhymes with need)
9) Led
10) Led , Lead (the verb, rhymes with need)
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