Meaning & use
led
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“led” is a form of “lead”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitive
Past tense and past participle of lead: guided or took someone somewhere by going in front.
Grammar: Takes an object when guiding someone: she led the group; the path led to a lake.
Patterns
- led someone to somewhere
- led to something
The guide led us through the narrow streets.
The trail led to a hidden waterfall.
verbtransitive
Was in charge of a group, team or organization.
Grammar: Takes an object: she led the committee.
Patterns
- led something
- led someone in something
She led the company for ten years.
He led the choir in their final song.
verbtransitive or intransitive
Was ahead of others in a race or contest, or caused something to happen.
Grammar: Often intransitive: our team led at half time; also led to something.
Patterns
- led by something
- led to something
Our team led by two points at halftime.
Heavy rain led to flooding in the valley.
Word forms
| base form | lead |
|---|---|
| third person singular | leads |
| -ing form | leading |
Common combinations
- led to
- The mistake led to a delay.
- led the way
- The teacher led the way up the stairs.
- led by
- The project was led by two engineers.
- led astray
- He was led astray by bad friends.
- led a double life
- She led a double life as a spy.
Synonyms and how they differ
- guided
- Stresses showing the way gently.
- headed
- Suggests being at the front or in charge of a group.
- caused
- Fits only the result sense; led to is more gradual.
Opposites
Word family
- lead verb
- present form
- leader noun
- person who leads
- leadership noun
- the act or skill of leading
Commonly confused: led or lead (metal)? led or LED?
led vs lead (metal)
The metal lead is spelled the same as the verb but pronounced /led/, like led.
led vs LED
LED stands for light-emitting diode and is read as three letters.
Practice
Yesterday she ___ the team to victory in the final.
Choose one answer.
Yesterday needs the past tense, which is led. Lead is the present form; leaded is not a past form of this verb.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “led”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.