plead
Base form
plead
/pliːd/
Past simple
pleadedpleaded / pled
/ˈpliːdɪd//ˈpliːdɪd/ /pled/
Past participle
pleadedpleaded / pled
/ˈpliːdɪd//ˈpliːdɪd/ /pled/
MeaningC1
to ask for something in an emotional way; to say in court whether you are guilty
to plead not guilty
In use
- Negative · Form 1Don’t plead with him — he won’t change his mind.
- Question · Form 1How will the accused plead tomorrow?
- Past simple · Form 2Yesterday the driver pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.Yesterday the driver pled guilty to dangerous driving.
- Past simple · Form 2Last night the kids pleaded with me for another story.Last night the kids pled with me for another story.
- Present perfect · Form 3Both men have pleaded not guilty.Both men have pled not guilty.
- Past perfect · Form 3She had pleaded for help, but nobody came.She had pled for help, but nobody came.
Watch out
Pleaded is regular, not like led: she pleaded guilty. American English also says pled. Pleded and pleadded are wrong.
Same pattern
A — B — BForms two and three are the same
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