Read vs. Read – What’s the Difference?

Irregular verbs can be trickyand read is one of the trickiest of all.

In some conjugationsthe spelling does not change at all between pastpresentand future—you have to rely on context to decide when the reading actually happened.

Sometimesthoughthe pronunciation changes even though the spelling remains the same—read can rhyme with both bed and seeddepending on conjugation.

What is the Difference Between Read and Read?

In this articleI will compare both pronunciations of this word: read vs. read. I will use each version in at least one example sentenceso you can see how to use it in context.

PlusI will show you a memory tool that you can use as a reminder of when read or read is more appropriate.

When to Use Read (Rhymes with Seed)

What does read mean? Readpronounced so that it rhymes with seedis usually a verb. It means to interpret letters and words and determine their meaning.

A person can read a bookfor exampleor words on a screenor a sign.

Here are some examples,

• “Classplease read The Little Dog Laughed to each other in partners,” said the elementary teacher.
• I like reading with my older brother and sisterbut they read quickly and sometimes I can’t keep up.
• Learning to read can have profound effects on the wiring of the adult braineven in regions that aren’t usually associated with reading and writing. –The Washington Post

Read can also be a nounwhere it usually describes a book that is enjoyable to readas in the phrase a good read.

Read has a homophonetoo: reedwhich describes either a type of plant or part of the mouthpiece of some wind instruments.

For example,

• Moses’s mother hid him in the reeds because he would not stop crying.

When to Use Read (Rhymes with Bed)

What does read (rhymed with bed) mean? Read is also a verb. When it is pronounced so that it rhymes with bedit becomes the simple past tense form of the verb read.

• Excerpts from the Garden-stamped security testimonynone of which is attributed by namewere first read on Mike Francesa’s WFAN radio show. –New York Post

If you read a book yesterdaythe word rhymes with bedbut if you will read it tomorrowit rhymes with seed.

For example,

• I read (rhymes with bed) your posts on social media yesterdayand I didn’t feel any need to respond.
• Jim will read (rhymes with seed) To Kill a Mockingbird for a fourth-grade book report.

The past tense read also has a homophone: red. Red is a primary coloralong with blue and yellow.

Here is an example,

• Emiliya bought a bright red Dodge Charger and wrecked it almost immediately.

When to Pronounce Read Each Way

If you are using read as a nounpronounce it so that it rhymes with seed.

Otherwiseif the verb is past tenserhyme read with bed. For present and future tensesrhyme read with seed.

Since read and said are two past tense verbs that rhymeyou should be able to remember that read rhymes with said in the past tense.

Summary

Is it read or read? Read is a verb that means to interpret writing on a page.

• Read rhymes with bed in the past tense.
• Read rhymes with reed in the present and future changes.
• It can also be a nounwhere it rhymes with reed.