to occur in the time that comes before (something) Many voters were still undecided in the days leading up to [=approaching] the election. to result in (something) a course of study leading to a degree in agriculture Her investigations ultimately led to the discovery of the missing documents. Answer from Mercz on hinative.com
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Merriam-Webster
merriam-webster.com › dictionary › lead up to
LEAD UP TO Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
led up to; leading up to; leads up to · 1 · : to occur in the time that comes before (something) Many voters were still undecided in the days leading up to the election. 2 · : to come before and help to cause (something) There was a series ...
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Cambridge Dictionary
dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary › english › lead-up-to
LEAD UP TO SOMETHING definition | Cambridge English Dictionary
if a period of time or series of events leads up to an event or activity, it continues until that event or activity begins: The document provides a window into events that led up to the sale of the corporation.
Discussions

Led up/leading up
Both are correct gramatically and don't have any difference in meaning. I would say that the first one sounds more poetic and storytelling, whereas the second sounds more like it's from a report or something factual. More on reddit.com
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November 27, 2024
synonyms of lead up to | WordReference Forums
I´m interested in getting to know ... to/caused/prompted/led to/resulted in/sparked/triggered the sale of the corporation. Thank you for your great answers. pickup ... except lead up to. It’s really only lead to on its own that specifically means cause, result in, etc. The subject of the phrasal verb lead up to is typically either a period of time or a series of ... More on forum.wordreference.com
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May 3, 2022
What is the difference between lead up to and lead to ?
Synonym for lead up to to occur in the time that comes before (something) Many voters were still undecided in the days leading up to [=approaching] the election. to result in (something) a course of study leading to a degree in agriculture Her investigations ultimately led to the discovery ... More on hinative.com
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February 24, 2020
Lead or Led? Settle a debate.
Led is correct, and as far as I can tell, it doesn’t make a difference whether US or UK. You might be getting confused because the past tense of “read” is “read” (pronounced “red”). You might further be getting confused because the metal (noun) “lead” is pronounced the same as “led.” However, only “led” is the past tense form of the verb “lead.” Merriam-Webster for more More on reddit.com
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January 13, 2023
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Quora
quora.com › What-is-the-difference-between-lead-to-and-lead-up-to
What is the difference between 'lead to' and 'lead up to'? - Quora
Answer (1 of 2): The difference between “lead to” and “lead up to” is that whereas “lead to” consists of a finite verb+the preposition TO, “lead up to” consists of a phrasal verb (lead up)+ the preposition TO.
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Grammarly
grammarly.com › blog › commonly-confused-words › led-lead
“Led” or “Lead”—What Is the Past Tense of “Lead”? | Grammarly
May 16, 2023 - Led is the past tense of the verb lead (pronounced leed), which means to guide, direct, be in charge, or to bring something about: She led the party through the marshland. She lead the party through the marshland.
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Cambridge Dictionary
dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english › lead
LEAD | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
4 days ago - Muddy footprints led to the door. ... The stepping stones lead across the marsh. ... He was able to lead a normal life, despite the illness. See more ... in sports and activities, to move forward first with a particular part of your body, especially as a habit: lead with You can lead with your left or right leg, depending on which feels more comfortable.
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Merriam-Webster
merriam-webster.com › dictionary › lead-up
LEAD-UP Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
2 weeks ago - : something that leads up to or prepares the way for something else · lead up 2 of 2 · ˈlēd- led up; leading up; leads up · intransitive verb · 1 · : to prepare the way · 2 · : to make a gradual or indirect approach to a topic · Recent ...
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Collins Dictionary
collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english › lead-up
LEAD-UP definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary
1 week ago - The lead-up to an event is the things connected to that event that happen before it.
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WordReference
forum.wordreference.com › english only › english only
synonyms of lead up to | WordReference Forums
May 3, 2022 - Thank you for your great answers. pickup ... except lead up to. It’s really only lead to on its own that specifically means cause, result in, etc. The subject of the phrasal verb lead up to is typically either a period of time or a series of ...
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Collins Dictionary
collinsdictionary.com › us › dictionary › english › lead-up-to
LEAD UP TO definition in American English | Collins English Dictionary
Alan Tomlinson has reconstructed the events that led up to the deaths. ... If someone leads up to a particular subject, they gradually guide a conversation to a point where they can introduce it.
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Longman
ldoceonline.com › dictionary › lead-up-to
lead up to something | meaning of lead up to something in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English | LDOCE
→ lead→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpuslead up to • Beyond doubt, he was a key figure in the events that led up to Megan and Morag and to Dolly.• My whole childhood had been leading up to playing football in college.
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University of Nebraska-Lincoln
newsroom.unl.edu › announce › snr › 3776 › 21317
The Grammar Guru: Lead vs. led | Announce | University of Nebraska-Lincoln
It is the past tense and past participle of "lead" as a verb when the pronunciation of "lead" rhymes with "bead." Examples: Her mother led her into the kitchen to show her how to cook the chicken. ("Led" is a verb in the past tense form.) He has led the team to nationals five years in a row.
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Ginger Software
gingersoftware.com › english-online › spelling-book › confusing-words › lead-led
Lead vs. Led – The Correct Way to Use Each | Confusing Words
The map led us to our destination. I led a better life in the past. Note: If you see the word LED in capitalized form, it is not the past tense of lead but an acronym for light emitting diode, e.g.
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Thesaurus.com
thesaurus.com › e › grammar › led-vs-lead
“Led” vs. “Lead”: What's The Difference?
August 4, 2022 - Experts predict that inflation will lead to less consumer spending. When used this way, lead is considered an irregular verb because its past tense and past participle form is led (not leaded).
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Grammar Monster
grammar-monster.com › easily_confused › lead_led.htm
"Lead" or "Led"?
Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal. My strength lies solely in my tenacity. (Biologist Louis Pasteur) ... "Lead" that rhymes with "seed" is associated with being in charge or being in front. Example sentences with "lead": Lead the team back to the tents. (Here, "lead" is a verb.) You can take your dog off the lead. (In this example, "lead" is a noun.) Keep this pace up...
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GRAMMARIST
grammarist.com › home › spelling › led vs lead – what’s the difference?
Led vs Lead - What's the Difference?
September 11, 2023 - Led can also be used in infinitive phrases or the passive voice. Instead of saying you are being lead, you should say you are being led. LED can also be an acronym that means light-emitting diode. Here are some English language examples of led in a sentence: The priest led the Eucharistic celebration. (Led as the past form of lead) You led me to believe I was getting a discount.
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Paperpal
paperpal.com › home › led vs. lead: how to differentiate between the two words
Led vs. Lead: How to Differentiate Between The Two Words | Paperpal
February 20, 2024 - Researchers might mention “lead” when discussing environmental analysis or contamination, particularly in studies focused on soil, water, or air quality. ... Explanation: In this context, “lead” is used as a verb to depict the researcher’s proactive role in initiating a new study on antibiotic resistance. “Leading” in this sense implies taking charge, guiding, and spearheading the research effort to address an important scientific concern. Understanding the difference between “led” and “lead” and employing them correctly enhances the clarity and effectiveness of conveying scientific findings.
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Proofreading Services
proofreadingservices.com › blogs › esl › 14824145-lead-vs-led-do-you-know-the-difference
“Lead” vs. “Led”: Do You Know the Difference?
“Lead” can also be an adjective that refers to taking charge or going first. It rhymes with “seed.” Example: Sarah is the lead presenter because she knows the most about the results we’re sharing. After going through all those definitions for “lead,” hopefully “led” won’t seem so bad!