Today’s blog was a request from a work colleague and after a little research I am very clear on how to use these words now. The most important clarification to me is that the verb to lead always has a past tense spelt led (not lead). The rest is quite easy to remember.
To summarise, the word lead (pronounced leed and rhymes with bead) can be a verb, noun or adjective; however the past tense of the verb to lead, is led (which rhymes with red). This sometimes gets confused with the noun lead (pronounced red) which is the lead in a pencil or a soft grey metal. To makes things a little clearer, I have prepared some examples:
1. Verb – to lead [pronounced seed and rhymes with bead]
Definition: to guide
Present tense [pronounced seed and rhymes with bead]
- I lead a project team
- The path leads to a little stream
Past tense [pronounced led and rhymes with red]
- I led a project team
- The path led to a little stream
Important note: the past tense of the verb to lead is always led but never lead
2. Noun – lead [pronounced seed and rhymes with bead]
As well as the verb to lead, there is the noun lead which has many meanings. One meaning being ‘first’ or ‘principle place’ (as in first example below) and another is a name for a ‘leash’ (as in the second example below):
- Sean was in the lead in the egg and spoon race
- The dog had two red leads
3. Adjective – lead [pronounced seed and rhymes with bead]
- Rosie had the leading role in Cinderella
- Tom was the lead guitarist in the band
4. Noun – lead [pronounced led and rhymes with red]
- The lead in the pencil kept breaking after sharpening it
- There was a hole in the lead pipe
- The fishing line had a lead weight on the end
5. Adjective – lead [pronounced led and rhymes with red]
- There were strips of lead holding the panes of glass together [pronounced led and rhymes with red]
- The replacement windows had traditional leaded lights [pronounced ledded]
That’s all for today. As always, I am happy to take requests on the subject of grammar/punctuation/writing tips or similar.
Until tomorrow…
Sandra
This blog: https://mywritingnotebook.wordpress.com
My other blog: http://sandramadeira.wordpress.com
My website: www.tipsandluxuries.com (includes the introduction to my book)
Twitter: @madeirasandra and @tipsandluxuries
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