Cool MateLead vs Take him to the infirmary
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Lead
Top 1,000 (very common)
Take him to the infirmary
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Lead
| Lead | Take him to the infirmary | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //liːd//🇺🇸 //liːd// | 🇬🇧 //teɪk hɪm tə ði ɪnˈfɜːməkəri//🇺🇸 //teɪk hɪm tə ði ɪnˈfɜrməri// |
| Meaning | To show the way or guide someone. | Bring him to the hospital or medical place. |
| Example | She will lead the meeting tomorrow. | When he collapsed, I knew I had to take him to the infirmary. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| Collocations | lead a team, lead a discussion, lead by example, lead the way, lead the charge | take someone, to the infirmary, medical attention |
| Antonyms | follow, distract | - |
| Common mistakes | 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). | Confused with 'bring' vs 'take' (use 'take' for motion away from the speaker)., Using the wrong preposition (should be 'to' not 'at'). |
| Usage notes | 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. | Use in situations where someone is injured or ill. Suitable in formal and neutral settings, not typically used in slang contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Lead vs Take him to the infirmary
What's the difference between Lead and Take him to the infirmary?
Lead: To show the way or guide someone. Take him to the infirmary: Bring him to the hospital or medical place.
Which is more common: Lead and Take him to the infirmary?
Lead is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Lead: She will lead the meeting tomorrow. Take him to the infirmary: When he collapsed, I knew I had to take him to the infirmary.
Can I use Lead and Take him to the infirmary interchangeably?
Not always. Lead and Take him to the infirmary 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.