приводить vs привести

privodit vs privesti — bring/lead regularly vs bring/lead once

What it really means

Приводи́ть is imperfective and привести́ is perfective. They mean bring or lead a person to a destination, and also cause or produce a result: приводить ребёнка в школу, привести к ошибке. Привести gives the completed arrival or result.

Examples in natural speech

Она приводит сына в школу.
She brings her son to school.
Это часто приводит к ошибкам.
This often leads to mistakes.
Приведи друга на встречу.
Bring your friend to the meeting.
Он привёл нас к выходу.
He led us to the exit.
Спешка привела к проблемам.
Haste led to problems.

Common mistakes

Привести someone means bring or lead them to a destination; привезти is bring by vehicle. Use привести к + dative for “lead to” a result.

Memory tip

При- brings toward a destination; привести completes the arrival.

Frequently asked questions

What does привести к mean?

It means lead to or result in: привести к ошибке, привести к успеху.

How do you say bring a child to school?

Use привести ребёнка в школу for one trip, or приводить for the regular routine.

What is the aspect difference?

Приводить is repeated or ongoing; привести is one completed bringing or resulting.

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