The verb lead makes led in its past-tense and past-participle forms. Writers often mistakenly use lead in these roles, perhaps due to erroneous analogy with the verb read, which is uninflected. For example, these writers use lead in place of led:
Concern over a “temperamental” bollard has lead to the cancellation of a pancake race in County Durham. [BBC News]
As a kaumatua, he lead by example and expected other leaders in the community to do the same. [The Daily Post]
And we all know where that has lead us since 2007. [Seattle Post-Intelligencer]
Lead is the correct spelling for the malleable, bluish-white element used in pipes, solder, bullets, and paints.
