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Prepositions before nouns

“Of lead”, “to lead”, or “with lead”?

The noun lead combines with different prepositions depending on whether you mean material, direction, or composition.

Quick answer

Using prepositions with the noun “lead”

Use of lead for material or composition and with lead for content or accompaniment. To lead is usually connected to the verb lead, not the noun meaning metal.

a pipe made of lead
The paint was contaminated with lead

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
of + lead

Material or composition

Use of lead to describe what something is made from.

a statue of lead
2
with + lead

Containing lead

Use with lead for substances or products that include lead.

fuel mixed with lead

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
of lead
bullets of lead
Shows material or composition.
to lead
The path leads to the station.
Here lead is a verb, not the metal noun.
with lead
soil with lead contamination
Shows the presence of lead.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Confusing the noun and verb lead

To lead usually belongs to the verb lead.

✕ a pipe to lead ✓ a pipe of lead

Using with lead for material composition

With lead suggests inclusion, not primary material.

✕ a sculpture with lead ✓ a sculpture of lead

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The old pipes were made ___ lead.
2. The soil was polluted ___ lead.
3. Which sentence uses lead as a verb?

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Frequently asked questions

What does “of lead” mean?

It means made from the metal lead.

Is “to lead” correct with the metal noun?

Usually no. To lead normally belongs to the verb lead.

When do we use “with lead”?

Use it for things containing or mixed with lead.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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