dread
dreads
dreading
dreaded
Dread means to fear something that will or might happen. Regular verb: dread-dreaded-dreaded.
Meanings
- To fear greatly
- To anticipate with anxiety
- To be terrified of
Common Collocations
dread the thought
dread to think
dreaded disease
dread going
Tip for Learners
Dread implies anticipatory fear. "I dread Monday mornings."
Present Simple
| I | dread |
| you | dread |
| he/she/it | dreads |
| we | dread |
| they | dread |
Examples - Present Simple
- I dread Monday mornings.
- You dread public speaking events.
- She dreads visiting the dentist.
- We dread the annual audit.
- They dread receiving bad news.
Present Continuous
| I | am dreading |
| you | are dreading |
| he/she/it | is dreading |
| we | are dreading |
| they | are dreading |
Examples - Present Continuous
- I am dreading tomorrow's meeting.
- You are dreading the results.
- He is dreading the confrontation.
- We are dreading the upcoming exam.
- They are dreading the announcement.
Present Perfect
| I | have dreaded |
| you | have dreaded |
| he/she/it | has dreaded |
| we | have dreaded |
| they | have dreaded |
Examples - Present Perfect
- I have dreaded this moment for years.
- You have dreaded the conversation all week.
- She has dreaded flying since the incident.
- We have dreaded this day for months.
- They have dreaded the outcome since the beginning.
Present Perfect Continuous
| I | have been dreading |
| you | have been dreading |
| he/she/it | has been dreading |
| we | have been dreading |
| they | have been dreading |
Examples - Present Perfect Continuous
- I have been dreading this meeting all week.
- You have been dreading the results for days.
- He has been dreading the news since the test.
- We have been dreading this moment for months.
- They have been dreading the audit for weeks.
Past Simple
| I | dreaded |
| you | dreaded |
| he/she/it | dreaded |
| we | dreaded |
| they | dreaded |
Examples - Past Simple
- I dreaded the exam but passed easily.
- You dreaded the meeting for nothing.
- He dreaded returning home after the fight.
- We dreaded the announcement but it was good news.
- They dreaded the storm that never came.
Past Continuous
| I | was dreading |
| you | were dreading |
| he/she/it | was dreading |
| we | were dreading |
| they | were dreading |
Examples - Past Continuous
- I was dreading the interview when you called.
- You were dreading the results before they arrived.
- She was dreading the trip before enjoying it.
- We were dreading the meeting before it was cancelled.
- They were dreading the verdict before acquittal.
Past Perfect
| I | had dreaded |
| you | had dreaded |
| he/she/it | had dreaded |
| we | had dreaded |
| they | had dreaded |
Examples - Past Perfect
- I had dreaded the moment before it happened.
- You had dreaded the news before receiving it.
- He had dreaded the exam before passing with honors.
- We had dreaded the review before the praise.
- They had dreaded the response before the approval.
Past Perfect Continuous
| I | had been dreading |
| you | had been dreading |
| he/she/it | had been dreading |
| we | had been dreading |
| they | had been dreading |
Examples - Past Perfect Continuous
- I had been dreading the event for weeks before enjoyment.
- You had been dreading the conversation for days before relief.
- She had been dreading the procedure for months before success.
- We had been dreading the audit for years before compliance.
- They had been dreading the outcome for months before victory.
Future Simple
| I | will dread |
| you | will dread |
| he/she/it | will dread |
| we | will dread |
| they | will dread |
Examples - Future Simple
- I will dread every minute until it's over.
- You will dread the results until they arrive.
- He will dread the meeting tomorrow.
- We will dread the exam until we take it.
- They will dread the announcement until it comes.
Future Continuous
| I | will be dreading |
| you | will be dreading |
| he/she/it | will be dreading |
| we | will be dreading |
| they | will be dreading |
Examples - Future Continuous
- I will be dreading the interview all night.
- You will be dreading the results until Friday.
- She will be dreading the performance until curtain.
- We will be dreading the review all week.
- They will be dreading the verdict until it's read.
Future Perfect
| I | will have dreaded |
| you | will have dreaded |
| he/she/it | will have dreaded |
| we | will have dreaded |
| they | will have dreaded |
Examples - Future Perfect
- I will have dreaded this moment for months by then.
- You will have dreaded the outcome for weeks.
- He will have dreaded the event for too long.
- We will have dreaded the audit for ages.
- They will have dreaded the results unnecessarily.
Future Perfect Continuous
| I | will have been dreading |
| you | will have been dreading |
| he/she/it | will have been dreading |
| we | will have been dreading |
| they | will have been dreading |
Examples - Future Perfect Continuous
- I will have been dreading this for years.
- You will have been dreading exams your whole life.
- She will have been dreading flying for decades.
- We will have been dreading audits for years.
- They will have been dreading reviews for generations.