How to Use Lead Past Tense (Explained, With Examples)

First published on December 13, 2022 by Dalia Y.|Last revised on October 20, 2024

The past tense of the transitive verb 'to lead', is 'led' (rhymed with fed).

How to Use Lead Past Tense (Explained, With Examples)

The verb lead/led in text conversation. — *Lead*/*led* in text conversation.

Carole King said it best, "If you lead, I will follow". But what if you want to refer to "lead" in the past tense? Is it lead or led?

What's the past tense of "lead"?

The simple past tense of lead is led, and the past participle is also led. Use led for both simple past and past participle forms.

Definition of lead

The Oxford English Dictionary defines lead (rhymes with breed) as "to show someone the way or to make them go in the right direction." It can also mean to guide, direct, or go in advance of others.

The past tense of lead is led.

The past participle of lead is led.

Verb forms of 'lead'

Simple Cont. Perfect Perfect Cont.

Present

I/you/they lead • He/she/it leads

Past

I/you/they led • He/she/it led

Future

I/you/they will lead • He/she/it will lead

Present

I am/you are leading • He/she/it is leading

Past

I was/you were leading • He/she/it was leading

Future

I/you will be leading • He/she/it will be leading

Present

I/you have led • He/she/it has led

Past

I/you had led • He/she/it had led

Future

I/you will have led • He/she/it will have led

Present

I have been leading • He/she/it has been leading

Past

I had been leading • He/she/it had been leading

Future

I will have been leading • He/she/it will have been leading

Is "lead" a regular or irregular verb?

The verb lead is irregular. Its past tense and past participle forms are both led, not "leaded." Unlike regular verbs that add "-ed," the past tense changes by omitting the vowel "a" to become "led." This is an important pattern to remember when using "lead" in different contexts.

When to use "led" (past) vs. "led" (participle)

She led the horse back into the stable.

They have always led the way.

The verb lead uses the same form for both simple past tense and present or past perfect), it requires an auxiliary verb like have, has, or had. The simple past doesn't use a helper verb since it's a complete tense, so led can stand alone in sentences, whereas participles require an auxiliary verb.

Similar irregular verbs

lead

Past: led

Past part: led

Sentence examples: lead, led, led

Lead (present tense)

• All roads lead to Rome.

• If you lead, I'll follow.

• We were struggling to stay in the lead.

Led (past simple)

• She led the horse back into the stable.

• The road led to a massive forest.

• The bread crumbs led the children back to their home.

Led (present or past perfect)

• I have led the tour through the museum.

• We were led to believe there would be snacks.

• They have always led the way.

Synonyms & nearby words

Synonyms for lead

guide steer direct pilot usher manage shepherd show the way point the way

Common idioms with "lead"

You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink

You can provide an opportunity but you can't make someone do something they don't want to do.

All roads lead to Rome

There are a number of ways of accomplishing the same thing.

To lead a dog's life

A life that is unpleasant and difficult.

To lead a charmed life

To live a life that is pleasant and fortunate.

To go down like a lead balloon

For something to be poorly received or taken (as in, a balloon filled with the metal lead).

Get the lead out of one's feet

To do something quicker.

Origin of the word lead

To guide,” Old English lædan (transitive) “cause to go with oneself; march at the head of, go before as a guide, accompany and show the way; carry on; sprout forth, bring forth; pass (one’s life),” causative of liðan “to travel,” from Proto-Germanic *laidjanan.

Practice: "Lead" conjugations

FAQs

What is the past tense of "lead"?

The past tense of the verb "lead" (which rhymes with breed) is "led" (which rhymes with fed). This is also the past participial form of the verb.

Is "lead" or "led" the correct past tense form?

"Led" is the correct spelling for both the simple past tense and the past participle of the verb "lead." Using "lead" for the past tense is incorrect.

Why doesn't the past tense of "lead" end in -ed?

"Lead" is an irregular verb. Unlike regular verbs that add "-ed," its past tense form changes by omitting the vowel "a" to become "led," rather than adding an ending.

What does the verb "lead" mean?

The verb "lead" (rhymes with breed) means to show someone the way or to guide them in a specific direction. It can also mean to go in advance to guide others.

Is "led" also the past participle of "lead"?

Yes, "led" is the only form used for both the simple past tense and the past participle of the verb "lead."

Sources

Merriam-Webster. "Lead, v." Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Date of access 15 Oct. 2025.
Etymology Online. "Lead (v.)." Etymology Dictionary. Date of access 15 Oct. 2025.
Thesaurus.com. "Synonyms of lead." Date of access 15 Oct. 2025.