Base
I read a book every night.
A present habit: read sounds like reed.
Past Tense of Read: Same Spelling, New Sound
Read keeps the same spelling in the present, past and past participle. The sound changes: present read sounds like reed; past read sounds like red.
Base
read
Past
read
Past participle
read
Third person: reads · -ing form: reading
AAA: form patternExamples
Base
We read the news every morning.
Every morning marks a present habit; read rhymes with need.
Past
She read the letter yesterday.
Yesterday tells us read is past; it sounds like red.
Past
They read the story last week.
Last week is a finished past time.
Past participle
I have read this book before.
After have, use the participle read, pronounced red.
Past participle
He has read all the messages.
Has read is present perfect.
Usage notes
One spelling, two sounds
Present read is pronounced /riːd/ (like reed). Past and participle read are pronounced /rɛd/ (like red). Time words and helpers show which one you mean.
Read aloud
Read aloud means speak written words so others can hear. In the past, it is still spelled read aloud.
Common mistakes
I red the email yesterday.
I read the email yesterday.
The past sounds like red but is always spelled read.
She has readed the book.
She has read the book.
Read is irregular. Its past participle has no -ed ending.
Practise this verb
0/8
Choose the correct answer
Choose the correct answer to each question.
1.I ___ a story last night.
2.She has ___ your message.
3.We ___ together every weekend.
4.Which word rhymes with the past form of read?
Write the missing word
Write the correctly spelled form of read.
Correct the spelling
Replace the incorrect word in the English sentence.
8.Choose the mistake in this sentence.
Answer key
1. I ___ a story last night.
Answer: read
The past is spelled read and pronounced red.
2. She has ___ your message.
Answer: read
After has, use the participle read.
3. We ___ together every weekend.
Answer: read
A present habit uses read, pronounced reed.
4. Which word rhymes with the past form of read?
Answer: red
Past read is pronounced like red.
5. He ___ the sign yesterday.
Answer: read
Past read has the same spelling as present read.
6. I have ___ this poem before.
Answer: read
The participle is read, pronounced red.
7. They ___ English books at school every week.
Answer: read
Every week marks a present habit; read is pronounced reed.
8. I readed the page yesterday.
Answer: I read the page yesterday.
The past form is read, not readed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of read?
The past tense is read. It has the same spelling as the present form, but sounds like red.
How do you pronounce read in the past?
Past read is pronounced /rɛd/, like the color red. Present read is pronounced /riːd/.
Is readed correct?
No. Read is irregular; base, past and past participle are all spelled read.