Past Tense of “lead”
The past simple of “lead” is “led” and the past participle is “led”. Below are the pronunciation, three example sentences, the mistake learners make most often, and a short drill to check yourself.
Forms of “lead”
lead – led – led
guide; be in charge of
- Base form
- lead/liːd/
- Past simple
- led/led/
- Past participle
- led/led/
- -ing form
- leading
- He / she / it
- leads
Pronunciation (US)
Quick practice
5 questions. Type the missing form.
Example sentences
Three everyday sentences that show how the forms are used.
Past simple
She led the team for five years.
Past participle
Her research has led to a new treatment.
Passive
The project was led by a young engineer.
The most common mistake
Wrong
He lead the meeting yesterday.
Correct
He led the meeting yesterday.
The past of “lead” /liːd/ is spelled “led” /led/. “Lead” spelled with an a and pronounced /led/ is the metal.
Verbs with the same pattern
Past = participle. Learn these together.