Lead vs Led
Difference between lead and led is not confusing to understand as the difference is very distinct. Since the difference is distinct, so is the usage of the two words, lead and led. The word lead is used in the sense of ‘guide’ or ‘escort’. On the other hand, the word led is used as the past and past participle forms of the verb ‘lead’. This is the main difference between the two words, namely, lead and led. The word lead is primarily used as a verb. There are times when lead is used as a noun too. As a noun it carries several meanings.
What does Lead mean?
The word lead is used in the sense of guide or escort. Take a look at the following sentences.
Francis leads a team of fifteen members.
A captain of a cricket team should lead the players from the front.
In both the sentences, the word lead is used in the sense of ‘guide.’ Hence, the first sentence would be rewritten as ‘Francis guides a team of fifteen members’, and the meaning of the second sentence would be ‘A captain of a cricket team should guide the players from the front’.
It is interesting to note that the word lead is sometimes used as a noun in the sense of ‘potential customer or opportunity’ as in the expression ‘business lead’. As a noun lead is also used to refer to the main part in a play or a film. Look at the following example.
Nicolas Cage plays the lead in the Season of the Witch.
This sentence means that the actor Nicolas Cage plays the main part in the film Season of the Witch. The word lead gives rise to a few other words such as ‘leader’, ‘leading’, and the like.
What does Led mean?
On the other hand, the word led is the past and past participle form of the word lead. Observe the two sentences given below.
He led by example.
Lucy led her team to a great victory.
In both the sentences, you can see that the word led is used as the past tense form of the verb ‘lead.’ Hence, the meaning of the first sentence would be ‘he guided by example’, and the meaning of the second sentence would be ‘Lucy guided her team to great victory’. Look at the following sentence.
She had led her people to their destruction.
Here, the word led is used as the past participle of the word lead. So the meaning of the sentence would be ‘she had guided her people to their destruction.
What is the difference between Lead and Led?
• The word lead is used in the sense of ‘guide’ or ‘escort’.
• On the other hand, the word led is used as the past and past participle forms of the verb ‘lead’.
• The word lead is primarily used as a verb.
• The word lead is sometimes used as a noun in the sense of ‘potential customer or opportunity’ as in the expression ‘business lead’.
• As a noun lead is also used to refer to the main part in a play or a film.
• The word lead gives rise to a few other words such as ‘leader’, ‘leading’, and the like.
These are the very important differences between the two words, namely, lead and led.