What is the Present Tense of ‘Read’?
The present tense of ‘read’ is ‘read’. It is pronounced like ‘reed’. For example, “I read a book every night before bed.”
What is the Past Tense of ‘Read’?
The past tense of ‘read’ is ‘read’. However, it is pronounced like ‘red’. For example, “Yesterday, I read a novel in one sitting.”
Why is the Past Tense of ‘Read’ Pronounced Differently?
The reason for the different pronunciation lies in the fact that ‘read’ is an irregular verb. Irregular verbs do not follow the usual pattern of adding ‘-ed’ to form the past tense. Instead, they undergo a change in spelling or pronunciation. In the case of ‘read’, the spelling remains the same but the pronunciation changes to ‘red’.
How Can I Remember the Pronunciation?
One helpful tip is to remember the phrase “I read a book that I have already red.” This mnemonic device can help you remember that the present tense is pronounced like ‘reed’ and the past tense is pronounced like ‘red’.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the past tense of ‘read’ can be challenging, but with practice and patience, you can master this enigma. Remember that ‘read’ is an irregular verb, so it does not follow the usual rules of forming the past tense. Keep practicing and soon you’ll have no trouble navigating the past tense of ‘read’.