Is It “Pleaded” or “Pled”?

Posted By Cliff Tuttle | April 23, 2015

No. 1,144

Dictionary.com is now available for Apple Watch. See post above.

According to Dictionary. com, both.

Lawyers use this word “plead” all the time as to indicate that some averment was stating in a “pleading”, such as a complaint or answer.

However, some think that the past tense, pronounced “pled” is also spelled “plead”, perhaps because the spelling “pled” just doesn’t seem to look correct.

But “pled” is correct, as is “pleaded.” The spelling “plead” is only used in the present tense.

Example: “The Plaintiff pled that the accident was caused by defendant’s negligence.” [Correct]

Or: “The Plaintiff pleaded that the accident was caused by defendant’s negligence.” [Correct]

But not: “The Plaintiff plead that the accident was caused by defendant’s negligence.” [Wrong]

If you were not confused about this before, perhaps you are now.

No — reverse that!

If you have any more questions about this subject, consult Grammar Girl.

CLT

Welcome

CLIFF TUTTLE has been a Pennsylvania lawyer for over 45 years and (inter alia) is a real estate litigator and legal writer. The posts in this blog are intended to provide general information about legal topics of interest to lawyers and consumers with a Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania focus. However, this information does not constitute legal advice and there is no lawyer-client relationship created when you read this blog. You are encouraged to leave comments but be aware that posted comments can be read by others. If you wish to contact me in privacy, please use the Contact Form located immediately below this message. I will reply promptly and in strict confidence.

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