verb phrase · neutral
lead to
/liːd tuː/LEAD·to
task2speaking
to cause something to happen or to produce a particular result
Examples
“Lack of sleep can lead to poor concentration.”
“Uncontrolled pollution has led to serious health problems.”
“These decisions could lead to long-term economic decline.”
Band 8 sentence
“Unchecked urban sprawl has led to loss of agricultural land and a diminished quality of life in surrounding villages.”
Collocations
- lead to + noun phrase / V-ing
- can/could lead to
Word family
lead verblead to phrasal verb
Common mistakes
This problem will lead into more issues.→This problem will lead to more issues.
Poverty leads on crime.→Poverty leads to crime.
Say it for a higher band
5make→6cause→7+lead to
Synonyms
result in
Easily confused
result in
“Excessive sugar consumption can result in weight gain.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In Cause & effect
Learn it with its set