Read - irregular verb: features of use, pronunciation and examples

This article is devoted to answers to questions concerning the word "to read". Correct or Wrong Verb? What are the features of pronunciation? What kind of stable expressions are used?

Writing, pronunciation and translation options

The most common translation options are:

• Read (read, read, re-read);
• read;
• Interpret;
• Show;
• To study.

When writing a verb in Past Simple and Past Participle, it does not differ from an infinitive. The difference is noticeable only in oral speech, since the incorrect form of the verb read (both the second and third) sounds like [red]. In the infinitive, the word is read as [ri: d].

Stable expressions

In English there are many designs that are used in an unchanged form. Most of them are idioms and phraseological units. Here are some expressions:

• To ~ somebody like a book - to see someone through and through;
• To ~ smb's thoughts / mind - to read someone's thoughts;
• To ~ the Riot Act - to make a reprimand, arrange a breakdown, give a scold ( razg. );
• To ~ between the lines - read between the lines.

Phrasal verbs

In addition to the expressions mentioned in the previous section, read is an incorrect verb, which is sometimes used in combination with postpositions (prepositions or adverbs). The resulting design is called phrasal verb.

In this table are presented both phrasal verbs and usual phrases with prepositions.

Read - wrong verb, examples of use

Despite the fact that the above word is easy to remember and make part of your active vocabulary, some beginners have difficulty reading. There may be confusion in pronunciation, because read is an irregular verb, the second and third forms of which do not differ on the letter, but they sound different. In order to pronounce correctly, it is necessary to catch the context and determine the time form. As a workout, read the following sentences:

• I have read about it in the newspaper. - I read about it in the newspaper.
• Do you mind reading the message back? "Can you read the message again?"
• If it's a letter from my friend, please, read it out. "If this letter is from my friend, please read it out loud."
• She took two letters and read the through again. She took two letters and looked them over again.
• I want to read up on recent developments. "I want to study the latest research."
• I can not read your mind. "I can not read your mind."
• My best friend can read me like a book. "My best friend sees right through me."
• I like literature and I'm going to read a lot of interesting books next year. "I love literature and I'm going to read many interesting books next year."
• Read this article catefully. - Read this article carefully.
• Having read the newspaper, my father went to sleep. - After reading the newspaper, my dad went to bed.

Note : the verb have may indicate that the sentence uses the wrong verb read (3 form). In addition, this form is used in passive voice.

• This book is read by me. - This book is read by me.
• The magazine "National Geographic" is read in the whole world. - The magazine "National Geography" is read all over the world.

In addition to reading, try to come up with your own phrases, taking into account the correct pronunciation. Since read is an irregular verb that has its own characteristics, its use should be brought to automatism, and this will require practice.

Vocabulary expansion

One of the effective ways to increase the vocabulary is to supplement the known word with single-root, close in meaning and spelling. The grouped elements are much more easily remembered than the list of scattered, unconnected lexical units. In addition, knowledge of the structure and principles of word formation helps to understand meaning. Read is an irregular verb from which the following words and phrases are formed:

• Readability - readability;
• Readable - well written, easy to read;
• Reader - reader;
• Reading - reading;
• Reading desk - music stand;
• Reading glass - magnifying glass;
• Reading lamp - reading lamp;
• Reading room - reading room.

But do not be confused with some similar words, such as ready - ready, willing - without delay, readiness - readiness.

Any topic of the English language, whether grammatical rules or a list of new vocabulary, is easy to learn. However, care should be taken for properly selected teaching materials and regular classes. In order to achieve success in learning any foreign language, one should devote daily time to getting acquainted with new material or repeating what has been done. The topic "Read - the wrong verb and the peculiarities of its use" is one of the simplest, therefore, with understanding and remembering, there will be no difficulties even for beginner students.