Meaning & use
lags and leads
Last updated
Meanings
nounpluraltechnical
In economics and planning, the time gaps by which one thing happens after (lags) or before (leads) another related thing.
Grammar: Used as a plural noun; it names two matching sets of time differences, so it takes a plural verb.
Patterns
- the lags and leads between something and something
- lags and leads in something
Analysts studied the lags and leads between interest rate changes and consumer spending.
Getting the lags and leads right is essential when you build a forecasting model.
The report maps the lags and leads in the supply chain so managers know when to order.
nounpluralbusinesstechnical
In business and statistics, the practice of comparing earlier and later periods so that a pattern of cause and effect becomes visible.
Grammar: Also used in the fixed phrase 'analysis of lags and leads'; the plural form stays the same.
Patterns
- analysis of lags and leads
- look at lags and leads
Their analysis of lags and leads showed that hiring follows demand by about two quarters.
We use lags and leads to check whether one indicator really predicts another.
Common combinations
- the lags and leads between A and B
- The study measured the lags and leads between rainfall and crop prices.
- analysis of lags and leads
- A careful analysis of lags and leads can prevent costly planning mistakes.
- lags and leads in the data
- There are clear lags and leads in the data once you plot them month by month.
- estimate the lags and leads
- Economists try to estimate the lags and leads before making a forecast.
Synonyms and how they differ
- time lag
- This names a single delay, while 'lags and leads' covers both delays and the earlier movements that come before an effect.
- lead time
- 'Lead time' is the period between starting and finishing one task, not the paired comparison of two series that 'lags and leads' describes.
Word family
Commonly confused: lags and leads or cause and effect?
lags and leads vs cause and effect
'Cause and effect' names the relationship itself, while 'lags and leads' names the timing of that relationship.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'lags and leads' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Lags and leads' is a plural noun meaning the time gaps between related events, so option 0 fits. Option 1 wrongly uses it as a verb, option 2 treats it as a physical object, and option 3 uses a singular verb with a plural noun.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “lags and leads”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.