lead to

lead to — 片語動詞

  • lead tobase form
  • leads to3rd person singular
  • leading to-ing form
  • led topast simple

1. to have something as a later effect or outcome, so that one event makes another

1.片語動詞及物B1
釋義

導致;造成

使某結果或事件隨之發生

to have something as a later effect or outcome, so that one event makes another one happen

例句

Skipping breakfast every morning can lead to tiredness by lunchtime.

每天早上不吃早餐,可能導致中午前就感到疲倦。

lead to + noun naming a later outcome

The heavy rain led to serious flooding across several villages near the river.

這場大雨導致河邊好幾個村莊發生嚴重水患。

past tense led to + noun for a clear cause and effect

同義詞
  • result in

    very close in meaning; slightly more formal and common in reports

  • cause

    more direct; takes the result straight as its object without 'to'

  • bring about

    suggests making a change happen, often a deliberate or important one

反義詞
  • prevent

    stops the result from happening rather than causing it

文法句型

lead to + noun

lead to + something happening

用法筆記

Subject is usually a cause, condition, or action; the object names the effect that follows. Frequently used to describe chains of cause and effect, so the object can be a noun or an -ing form.

常見錯誤

The fire lead to many problems last year.
The fire led to many problems last year.
💡past tense of 'lead' is 'led', spelled without the second 'a'.
Eating too much sugar leads to be ill.
Eating too much sugar leads to illness.
💡after 'lead to' use a noun or an -ing form, not a bare verb.

2. if a road, path, door, or similar thing leads to a place, it goes there or opens

2.片語動詞及物B1
釋義

通往;通向

道路、門等通到某地

if a road, path, door, or similar thing leads to a place, it goes there or opens onto it

例句

The narrow path leads to a quiet beach behind the hills.

這條窄窄的小徑通往山後一處安靜的海灘。

path leads to + place

This back door leads to the kitchen and then the garden.

這道後門通往廚房,再過去就是花園。

door leads to + room

同義詞
  • go to

    plainer; can describe both routes and people travelling

  • open onto

    used mainly for doors and windows that give access to a space

文法句型

[road/path/door] leads to + place

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: here the subject is a physical route (road, path, door, stairs) and the meaning is about where it goes, not about cause and effect.

常見錯誤

The path leads at the lake.
The path leads to the lake.
💡use 'to' before the destination, not 'at'.

3. to take a person to a place or thing by going there together and showing the way

3.片語動詞及物B1
釋義

帶領;引領

陪同某人前往某處並帶路

to take a person to a place or thing by going there together and showing the way

例句

The waiter led the couple to a small table by the window.

服務生帶這對情侶到窗邊一張小桌子坐下。

lead someone to + place, going together

Iris took my hand and led me to the front of the long queue.

Iris 牽起我的手,帶我走到長長隊伍的最前面。

lead someone to + position

同義詞
  • guide

    stresses showing the way, often without physical contact

  • show to

    common for taking guests to a seat or room, as in 'show someone to their table'

  • escort

    more formal; suggests going with someone for safety or politeness

反義詞
  • follow

    the opposite role: going behind rather than showing the way

文法句型

lead someone to + place/thing

用法筆記

Object is a person; the place follows 'to'. Differs from sense 2 because a human subject actively goes with the person and shows the way, rather than a route simply running to a place.

常見錯誤

She led to me the table.
She led me to the table.
💡the person being guided comes right after 'led', before 'to'.