11/20/2023 0 Comments Lead past tense past participle("Lead" is an adjective that modifies "kicker.") He is the coach's choice for lead kicker. ("Lead" is referring to someone in the first position.) ("Leads" is a verb meaning shows the way.) She leads the group with confidence and poise. Also as a noun, "lead" rhymes with "bead" when it's referring to an animal's leash or to the first position. When used as a verb, "lead" rhymes with "bead." As a noun, "lead" rhymes with "bed" when it means a type of metallic element. The most common definition of "lead" as a verb is to show the way. ![]() The biggest confusion comes into play when it is used as a verb. "Lead," depending on the meaning, can function as a noun, adjective or verb. The confusion between "lead" and "led" typically stems from the way the different meanings are pronounced. Some of these tips may address common spelling errors, while others will examine the many nuances of the English language. Mekita Rivas, SNR communications associate, publishes a biweekly feature called "Grammar Guru."Įvery other week, the Grammar Guru will share writing tips to help make your work as polished as possible. You don’t need to write it with dots and it’s pronounced “elly-dee”.The Grammar Guru is here to lead you onto the correct path of using "lead" and "led." Q: And LED televisions have nothing to do with this, right?Ī: Haha, that's right. You label this pile: “READ THESE BOOKS”.Ī: “To read” is a particularly irregular verb – as not only does it shun “readed” for a past tense option, but it sticks with the exact same word AND pronunciation.Ī: So, to recap, people are likely mistaking “lead” when they mean “led” because they think it follows the same rules as “read” AND there is extra confusion from the metal lead’s pronunciation. Next to it is a pile of books you’ve just finished. But it’s likely that the same people who are mistakenly ascribing “lead” as the past tense of “lead” are doing so due to another word…Ī: Imagine a pile of books you’ve just bought. I wish I hadn’t asked.Ī: Haha, yes, English can be hair-pullingly frustrating with its rules and exceptions. Q: Oh no, not this lead-poisoned chalice. Q: So people are just lazily attributing the sound from the “lead” metal? There must be more to it. Because it’s pronounced the same as the actual word “led” – the past tense form of our earlier verb, “to lead” (pronounced LEED). Q: So how does “lead” add extra weight to your argument?Ī: Groan. These days it’s still found in things like batteries and ammunition. So “lead” as a noun is the highly toxic metal previously found in things like your uncle Tony’s paints. Q: Wow, the judge said that exact same thing to my uncle Tony after he painted the local kindergarten with leftover tins from his shed…Ī: Oh dear. Anyway, the problems really start happening when we introduce the metal “lead”. Q: That’s because it wasn’t off being made to drink.Ī: Quite. “to lead the orchestra” or “the horse moved into the lead”… ![]() Anyway, there are many other verb definitions for “lead” – including to be at the front of something. I always assumed it had something to do with poor water quality.Ī: Nope. You can also lead a horse to a movie theatre, but you can’t make it eat popcorn.Ī: You do know that this is from a 12th century proverb, right? It’s a metaphor for not being able to control whether someone does something, even if you give them the most favourable circumstances. For example, “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.” ![]() First, as a verb (pronounced LEED), such as to guide in a certain way or direction. Q: Anyway, you were talking about “lead” having a few meanings?Ī: That’s right. Q: What? Oh, no – that 30-minute guarantee is for her morgue job. She says the hardest part is sticking to the 30-minute guarantee.Ī: Well, people do like getting their pizzas quickly. Q: Sounds like my aunt Jacqui – she works at the morgue AND delivers pizzas. ![]() It’s likely to do with “lead” holding down a few jobs at once. Q: I knew it! Why do so many people struggle with this one?Ī: Good question. Q: Hi AWC – I saw an article the other day that announced “she lead the team into the final”. It’s a celebration of language, masquerading as a passive-aggressive whinge about words and weirdness. This week, we're taking the lead…
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