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.