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Pleaded vs. Pled

For the past tense of to plead, you may use either pleaded or pled.

Example:
He will plead not guilty to the charges.
Example: He pleaded not guilty before his trial.
Example: He pled not guilty before his trial.

Note: In the strict legal sense, one cannot plead innocent.

Word of the Week

Avuncular: Having to do with an uncle, especially in kindness or tolerance.

Example: He showed her avuncular affection.


Posted on Tuesday, April 8th, 2008 at 2:54 am


6 Comments

6 Responses to “Pleaded vs. Pled”

  1. dmpassmore says:

    Thank you. I have wondered about the difference.

  2. Safiya says:

    I have wondered about this A Lot because it seems that there has a been a trend by newspapers away from pled and to pleaded – have asked multiple attornies, but none of them could give me such a clear response! Thank you!

  3. Jared says:

    Always nice to get a concise answer to which word to use. I was beginning to think reporters/writers were losing the ability to use the English language. Of course this wasn’t the only thing I’ve read that made me think that…(a Yahoo writer used yoke when talking about an egg yolk, sigh)…Anyway, thanks much and no matter how many times I hear/see pleaded, its always going to feel wrong to my brain.

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