1
Core action
Cause, produce, or result in an outcome or later development.
Example
Prolonged drought can lead to crop failure.
lead to
/liːd tuː/ · leed TOOcause-and-effect phrase
Cause, produce, or result in an outcome or later development.
Use lead to to express this relationship precisely: cause, produce, or result in an outcome or later development.
What lead to Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Common construction
Use this expression in its normal grammatical frame so the relationship between the surrounding ideas remains explicit.
Example
The new evidence led the authors to revise their conclusion.
3
Reasoning effect
It tells the reader how to interpret the timing, scope, evidence, contrast, condition, or consequence in the statement.
Example
Small design changes may lead to substantial energy savings.
Use lead to Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
Prolonged drought can lead to crop failure.
The new evidence led the authors to revise their conclusion.
Small design changes may lead to substantial energy savings.
Precision Matters
Lead to overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
lead to
vs.Means cause, produce, or result in an outcome or later development.
give rise to
Means cause a condition, event, or result to develop or occur.
lead to
vs.Means cause, produce, or result in an outcome or later development.
bring about
Means cause an event, condition, or change to happen.
lead to
vs.Means cause, produce, or result in an outcome or later development.
contribute to
Means help cause, support, or advance an outcome without necessarily being its sole cause.
lead to
vs.Means cause, produce, or result in an outcome or later development.
in turn
Means mark the next step in a sequence or a result that then produces another result.
Test lead to in Context
The temperature cycle causes the cracks to develop.
1
Repeated freezing and thawing can ___ cracks in exposed rock.