Which sentence uses 'come across' correctly?

I came across an old photo while cleaning the attic

I came across the street to meet you

I came across an old photo while cleaning the attic

The bridge came across the river

Which sentence uses 'come across' correctly?

She comes across as very confident in interviews

He came across the finish line first

Which sentence uses 'come by' correctly?

Good jobs are hard to come by these days

The bus will come by this route

Good jobs are hard to come by these days

I come by the office every morning at 8

Which sentence uses 'come by' correctly?

Can you come by my house later for coffee?

The train came by the station too fast

She comes by the grocery store home

Which sentence uses 'come out' correctly?

The new iPhone will come out next month

I need to come out from the house now

The new iPhone will come out next month

Which sentence uses 'come out' correctly?

The truth finally came out after the investigation

The students came out to the classroom

Understanding the Phrasal Verb 'Lead to'

"Patience and perseverance can lead to unexpected wisdom, where each challenge becomes a stepping stone towards understanding life’s deeper truths."

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'lead to' means to bring about or cause a certain result, outcome, or consequence, often as the direct or indirect result of actions or events.

Examples in context

Regular exercise leads to improved physical health and mental clarity.
Economic recession can lead to increased unemployment and societal stress.
Improved education often leads to a more informed population.

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'lead to' means to bring about or cause a certain result, outcome, or consequence, often as the direct or indirect result of actions or events.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

'Lead to' is inseparable, meaning the verb and the particle must stay together.

Neutral

'Lead to' is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Transitive

Yes

'Lead to' requires an object, indicating the consequence or result.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	lead to	Hard work often leads to success.
Past Simple	led to	The scandal led to his resignation.
Present Continuous	leading to	The changes are leading to better outcomes.
Present Perfect	have led to	Recent discoveries have led to new insights.

💡 When to Use

Describing cause and effect

Use when discussing how one event causes another to happen, showing a direct connection between actions and outcomes.

Example: "Skipping breakfast can lead to decreased concentration."

Discussing historical events

Useful in historical contexts to explain how certain actions or policies resulted in specific historical outcomes or changes.

Example: "The Treaty of Versailles led to political upheaval in Germany."

Explaining process outcomes

Ideal for outlining the results of a process, highlighting how specific steps culminate in particular outcomes.

Example: "Consistent training leads to improved athletic performance."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect separation

❌ Wrong: Lead the project to success.

✅ Correct: Lead to the project's success.

💡 Tip: Remember that 'lead to' must stay together.

Lack of object

❌ Wrong: His actions led to.

✅ Correct: His actions led to confusion.

💡 Tip: Always include a word describing the result.

Incorrect tense usage

❌ Wrong: His strategy is led to failure.

✅ Correct: His strategy has led to failure.

💡 Tip: Use correct tense for temporal context.

Practice

LEAD TO - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

1
Listen to example

Regular exercise leads to improved physical health and mental clarity.
Off-Grid Living: Back to Nature
2
Listen to example

Economic recession can lead to increased unemployment and societal stress.
Off-Grid Living: Back to Nature
3
Listen to example

Improved education often leads to a more informed population.
Off-Grid Living: Back to Nature

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

result in cause

Antonyms

prevent

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"Regular study habits can ___ better test scores."

lead from

lead to

lead

lead on

In Context

In 1773, the Boston Tea Party marked a pivotal moment in American history. Discontent brewed in the American colonies over the Tea Act imposed by the British Parliament, which granted a monopoly to the East India Company and led to increased tea prices. This economic strain led to growing unrest among the colonists, who saw the Act as another instance of taxation without representation. On December 16, 1773, the situation culminated when colonists, disguised as Mohawk Indians, boarded three British ships in Boston Harbor. They dumped 342 chests of tea into the sea, protesting the British authority and monopoly. This act of defiance led to severe repercussions. The British government responded swiftly with the Coercive Acts, intended to punish Massachusetts and reassert control. This response further led to increased unity among the colonies, paving the way towards a collective movement. The Tea Party undeniably led to rising tensions that eventually sparked the Revolutionary War in 1775. From this single, audacious event, the American fight for independence began, forever altering the course of history and leading to the formation of the United States.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Lead To

What is the origin of lead to?

The phrasal verb 'lead to' originates from the Old English 'lædan,' related to guiding or directing towards a destination or result, first recorded around the 12th century.

Can lead to be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'lead to' is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, providing a versatile linguistic tool to express cause and effect in various settings.

What is the difference between lead to and result in?

While 'lead to' implies a process or series of actions causing an outcome, 'result in' often denotes a direct, immediate effect or consequence of an action.

Browse All Tiny House Phrasal Verbs

About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey

📖 Definition

📖 Definition

📝 Grammar Info

📊 Conjugation Table

💡 When to Use

⚠️ Common Mistakes

LEAD TO - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Lead To

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega