take the lead in vs take a lead in

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'Take the lead in' is used when someone or something is leading in a specific situation or activity. 'Take a lead in' is used when someone is taking an initial or temporary lead in a situation.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 1111 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"take the lead in "

This phrase is used when someone or something is leading in a specific situation or activity.

Examples:

She decided to take the lead in organizing the event.
Our company aims to take the lead in innovation.
He took the lead in the race from the start.

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The European Union should indeed take the lead in lending support to initiatives promoting peace around the world.
Europe must indeed take the lead in the climate debate and in the measures to be taken.
We, as the European Union, must take the lead in reversing this trend.
Against this background I think the EU should take the lead in trying to ban any kind of production, use and sale of cluster munitions.
Various individuals have agreed to take the lead in turning this morass into a prosperous, sovereign, and successful group of nations.
You should take the lead in there.
Maybe you should let me take the lead in there.
Lasalle and I'll take the lead in the convoy.
Second trimester, you can't take the lead in any cases.
Let you take the lead in the bureau meeting tomorrow.
The EU must take the lead in combating climate change.
Your rapporteur expects the EU to take the lead in this debate.
The countries with stronger fiscal positions should take the lead in a major pan-European skill-upgrading program.
Parliament urged that the EU should take the lead in New York.
We should take the lead in that regard.
I ask the Commission to take the lead in the proposed resettlement issue.
What is more, we should take the lead in establishing a global parliamentary system.
The EU has promised to take the lead in implementing this management programme.
He wants US banks to take the lead in these countries' financial development.
It is right that we take the lead in the search for solutions.

Alternatives:

be in the lead in
lead the way in
take charge in
assume the lead in
pioneer in

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in English.

"take a lead in "

This phrase is used when someone is taking an initial or temporary lead in a situation.

Examples:

She decided to take a lead in the project until a permanent leader was appointed.
He took a lead in the negotiations to get things started.
Let's take a lead in addressing this issue.

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The EU governments can and should take a lead in improving the situation.
It reads: 'We urge you to take a lead in fixing the fundamental flaws and loopholes which made this global financial crisis possible, including basic problems of debt and risk, incentives and transparency.
This amendment to the OSPAR Convention will mean that the EU and Scotland can take a lead in this area.
It is the rapporteur's judgement that the current proposal does not do justice to the Protocol's requirements and, because of this, fails to grasp the Community's opportunity to take a lead in this new and fundamentally important aspect of trade policy.
The fact that the Community has an enormous wealth of scientific and administrative expertise at its disposal puts it in a favourable position to take a lead in assisting these countries in their attempts to apply the Protocol and in developing their capacity to do so.
(v) take a lead in the current debate on global governance, including economic and financial governance, with a view to strengthening the mandates and improving the practices of the IMF and the World Bank, while at the same time re-vitalising ECOSOC;
Does the Commission agree that the wood-based product industries of the leading importing countries must take a lead in eliminating illegal timber from their supply chain?
Calls on the British and French governments to reach a solution dealing with the asylum claims at the Sangatte centre and to take a lead in developing further EU measures;
Calls on the British and French governments to reach a solution dealing with the asylum claims at the Sangatte centre and to take a lead in developing further EU measures;
take a lead in the current debate on global governance, including economic and financial governance, with a view to strengthening the mandates and improving the practices of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, while at the same time re-vitalising ECOSOC;
The Commission should take a lead in this vital area, and in the area of research into greater resource-use efficiency.
The European Union must take a lead in that regard.
Let us in the EU throw away the post-war protectionist model and take a lead in embracing globalisation.
Finally, the G20 needs to take a lead in pushing ahead the trade agenda.
Perhaps the Commissioner can take a lead in building such a mechanism.
More importantly, public sector entities should take a lead in setting an example in these matters.
As yet, no nation has pledged to take a lead in proposing this initiative.
The rapporteur refers to the experience of Scotland where local authorities take a lead in planning with other partners and this has been positive.
In Sinn Fein's view the Irish Government need to take a lead in strengthening the rights and protections of consumers.
I will hope it will inspire the British Government to take a lead in these matters.

Alternatives:

take an initial lead in
take a temporary lead in
take the first step in
take the initiative in
take a leading role in

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take the lead in vs take a lead in

"take the lead in "

"take a lead in "

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