The difference between lead and led (grammar lesson)


lead and led - the difference

'Lead' (rhymes with bead) is associated with being in charge or being in front. The past tense of the verb 'to lead' is led. Confusion arises because 'lead' (a soft toxic metal) is pronounced 'led'.

There is often confusion over the words 'lead' (rhymes with bead) and 'led'.

Lead

'Lead' can be an adjective, noun or verb:

Lead that rhymes with bead is associated with being in charge or being in front.

Lead the team back to the tents.

(lead as a verb)

You can take your dog off the lead.

(lead as a noun)

Keep this pace up. You are in the lead.

(lead as a noun)

You have been selected to be the lead tenor.

(lead as an adjective)

Lead that rhymes with bed is a soft heavy toxic metallic element. (It is a noun.)

In the UK, it is illegal to use lead for weights in fresh-water fishing.

(lead as a noun)

Someone has stolen the lead off the church roof again.

(lead as a noun)

lead ore

Led

The word 'led' is the past tense and the past participle of the verb 'to lead' (rhymes with bead).

Examples:

He led the cavalry over the hill.

(This is the verb to lead in the past tense.)

He has led the cavalry over the hill.

(The word led is a past participle in this example.) "

Select the correct version:

LEAD

The confusion arises because the noun 'lead' (rhymes with bed) is spelt identically to the verb 'lead'. (The noun 'lead' is of course the name of a soft heavy toxic metallic element.) As a consequence, some writers use 'lead' when they mean 'led'.

To add to the confusion, 'lead' (rhymes with bead) also exists as a noun. A dog's lead, for example. Therefore, you have to rely on context.

Take the lead.
(Without context, it is impossible to know whether 'lead' in this example rhymes with bead or bed.)