Word Choice – Plead Versus Pled

Kelly’s question: “Can you please comment on ‘plead’ versus ‘pled’?”

BizWritingTip response: According to the Oxford dictionary, to plead is to “make an earnest appeal; to maintain (a cause) esp. in a law court.”

Example
She will plead not guilty of the charges.

The past tense of plead is either pled or pleaded. Pled is American English and pleaded is British English.

Examples
She pleaded guilty of the charges at last week’s trial. (British English)
She pled not guilty of the charges at last week’s trial. (American English)