Conduct vs Lead

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Conduct

Top 2,000 (common) B2 verb

Lead

Top 1,000 (very common)

Most common: Lead

	Conduct	Lead
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/kənˈdʌkt/","/kənˈdʌkts/","/kənˈdʌktɪd/","/kənˈdʌktɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/kənˈdʌkt/","/kənˈdʌkts/","/kənˈdʌktɪd/","/kənˈdʌktɪŋ/"]/	🇬🇧 //liːd// 🇺🇸 //liːd//
Meaning	To lead or manage something, like a project or an activity.	To show the way or guide someone.
Example	The scientist will conduct an experiment to test the hypothesis.	She will lead the meeting tomorrow.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 2,000 (common)	Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level	B2	-
Part of speech	verb
Collocations	independently, separately, jointly, honourably/​honorably, well, with dignity, as, in, well	lead a team, lead a discussion, lead by example, lead the way, lead the charge
Antonyms	neglect, abandon	follow, distract
Common mistakes	Confused with 'conduct' as a noun vs. verb., Incorrectly using it without an object, e.g., 'conduct a meeting' instead of just 'conduct'., Mixing up 'conduct' with similar verbs like 'perform' or 'carry out'.	Confused with 'leed' for the verb and 'lead' for the metal., Using 'lead' as a noun for someone who guides a team, instead of 'leader'., Mixing up present and past forms (leading vs. led).
Usage notes	Use ‘conduct’ in formal contexts, such as business or research. It is not suitable for casual conversations or informal writing.	Used when guiding or directing people, typically in a formal or informal context. Avoid using it in a literal physical sense when the context is abstract.

See it in real clips

The Lord Of The Rings › The return of the king

the one who will lead Mordor's armies in war.

The Lord Of The Rings › The Fellowship Of The Ring

Lead them on, Aragorn.

The Lord Of The Rings › The return of the king

the one who will lead Mordor's armies in war.

The Lord Of The Rings › The Fellowship Of The Ring

Lead them on, Aragorn.

Lead

Frequently asked questions: Conduct vs Lead

What's the difference between Conduct and Lead?

Conduct: To lead or manage something, like a project or an activity. Lead: To show the way or guide someone.

Which is more common: Conduct and Lead?

Lead is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Conduct: The scientist will conduct an experiment to test the hypothesis. Lead: She will lead the meeting tomorrow.

Can I use Conduct and Lead interchangeably?

Not always. Conduct and Lead are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.