⏱️ 2 min practice • 🔥 CEFR A2

lead

Irregular Level A2 ⭐ #42 Most Common

English translation: to guide / to direct / to be in charge

Stem Pattern: lead / led / led
💡 Key Usage Note: Do not confuse the past 'led' with the metallic element 'lead' (pronounced the same, but spelled lead).
📘 Linguistic Rule: Irregular verb: present 'lead', past simple 'led', past participle 'led'.
⚖️ Lead vs Follow (Antonyms)
View FOLLOW →
🔊 Speed:

Present Simple

Guiding.

Subject Pronoun Conjugation Audio
I lead
you lead
he/she/it leads
we lead
they lead
💡 Tip: Click any row's audio button to hear native pronunciation
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AI Smart Tutor: 'LEAD' Insights

Linguistic breakdowns & native shortcuts

Smart Tips
🧠 Memory Trick (Mnemonic)

A leader leads today, and led yesterday.

⚠️ Most Common Student Mistake
✗ Don't say: She leaded the team to victory
✓ Say instead: She led the team to victory

Why: The past of lead is spelled 'led'.

🗣️ Essential Native Idioms with 'lead'
Lead by example

= To act as a model for others

"A great manager always leads by example."

Lead someone on

= To give false hope to someone

"He didn't mean to lead her on."

🎴 Flashcard Practice Mode

Flip through pronouns to test active recall for 'lead'

1 / 6
Present Simple
I

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Answer
lead

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Frequently Asked Questions: LEAD

Is "lead" a regular or irregular verb in English? ▾

"lead" is classified as a Irregular verb in English. Its characteristic conjugation pattern is "lead / led / led". Irregular verb: present 'lead', past simple 'led', past participle 'led'. Do not confuse the past 'led' with the metallic element 'lead' (pronounced the same, but spelled lead).

What does "lead" mean in English? ▾

In English, "lead" translates primarily to "to guide / to direct / to be in charge". In natural speech, it is commonly used across CEFR level A2 contexts for everyday communication.

What is the most frequent mistake learners make with "lead"? ▾

A frequent error is saying "She leaded the team to victory" instead of "She led the team to victory". Why? The past of lead is spelled 'led'.

What are common idioms or expressions with "lead"? ▾

A popular idiom is "Lead by example" which means "To act as a model for others" (e.g. "A great manager always leads by example.").

How can I practice and memorize "lead" conjugations? ▾

Use Verbpedia's built-in interactive flashcards, pronounce each form using native Web Speech audio, and complete the instant mini-quiz below. You can also print a distraction-free A4 cheat sheet using the Print button above.

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Quick Practice: Fill in the Blanks

Test your understanding of 'lead' across tenses

Interactive Quiz
Question 1 ()

What is the past tense of lead?

Other Important English Verbs to Study

be Irregular

to exist / to have a state or quality

go Irregular

to move from one place to another

have Irregular

to possess / auxiliary for perfect tenses

see Irregular

to perceive with the eyes / understand

make Irregular

to create, produce, or cause

take Irregular

to grasp, carry, or acquire

get Irregular

to obtain, receive, or become

come Irregular

to move toward a destination / arrive

eat Irregular

to consume food

run Irregular

to run / move rapidly / operate

know Irregular

to be aware of / recognize

choose Irregular (choose / chose / chosen)

to pick / select / elect

speak Strong Verb (Class 4 Ablaut)

to speak / to talk

bring Irregular (bring / brought / brought)

to bring / to carry toward

think Irregular (thought, thought)

to think / to ponder / to believe

give Irregular (gave, given)

to give / to hand over / to grant

find Irregular (found, found)

to find / to discover / to locate

tell Irregular (told, told)

to tell / to narrate / to order

write Irregular

to compose text / mark letters

read Irregular

to comprehend written text

buy Irregular

to purchase with money

build Irregular

to construct or assemble

grow Irregular

to develop, increase in size, or cultivate

stand Irregular

to be on one's feet / to endure

lose Irregular

to misplace / to fail to win

fall Irregular

to fall down / drop

hold Irregular

to grasp / to contain / to conduct

catch Irregular

to capture / to intercept / to board

throw Irregular

to propel / toss through the air

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