Lead / Led
Different formsLead is the base and present-tense verb; led is its past tense and past participle. Write has led to, not has lead to.
Lead
Use when
You need the base or present-tense verb meaning guide, direct or cause.
Example
“The Director leads the inter-agency committee.”
Led
Use when
You need the past tense or past participle of the verb lead.
Example
“The Director led the committee last year, and the review has led to several changes.”
Quick check
has lead to, was lead by, lead the project last year
Usage note
The noun lead for the metal is pronounced like led but retains the spelling lead.