Meaning & use
reread
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Meaning
verbtransitive
To read something once more, in order to understand it better, check it, or enjoy it again.
Grammar: Takes an object: reread the chapter; the past form is spelled the same but pronounced like red.
Patterns
- reread something
- reread something for something
I had to reread the contract twice before I understood the terms.
She rereads her favorite novel every winter.
Reread your answer before you submit the exam.
Word forms
| third person singular | rereads |
|---|---|
| past tense | reread |
| past participle | reread |
| -ing form | rereading |
Common combinations
- reread a passage
- He reread the passage to find the hidden clue.
- reread carefully
- She reread the email carefully before replying.
- reread your notes
- Reread your notes the night before the test.
- reread a favorite book
- They reread a favorite book each year.
- reread the instructions
- Reread the instructions if the machine does not start.
Synonyms and how they differ
- review
- Review is broader and covers going over any material, not just by reading.
- revisit
- Revisit suggests coming back to a work or idea after time has passed, sometimes with new thoughts.
- reexamine
- Reexamine is more formal and stresses a closer, critical look, not just reading again.
- go over
- Go over is a casual phrasal verb meaning to check something once more.
Word family
Commonly confused: reread or read?
reread vs read
Read is the base verb and the past form shares the spelling reread, but the pronunciation of the past is like red.
Practice
Which sentence is correct for the past tense of reread?
Choose one answer.
Reread is irregular and has the same spelling in the past tense, so I reread is correct; the others add wrong endings.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “reread”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.