Irregular verb
The verb to tread
tread → trod → trodden
B2Meaning: to step on something; to walk somewhere · Type: irregular
Key points to remember
- Present Simple:
I/you/we/they tread·he/she/it treads - Past Simple:
trod - Past participle:
trodden(or trod in the US) - -ing form:
treading
Conjugation of the verb to tread
Present Simple
| I | tread |
| You | tread |
| He / She / It | treads |
| We | tread |
| You (pl.) | tread |
| They | tread |
Past Simple
| I | trod |
| You | trod |
| He / She / It | trod |
| We | trod |
| You (pl.) | trod |
| They | trod |
All the forms of the verb to tread
Present Simple
Full pagetread / treads
“Tread carefully!”
See the pagePresent Continuous
Full pageam / is / are treading
“I am treading on the grass right now.”
See the pagePast Simple
Full pagetrod
“He trod on my foot.”
See the pagePast Continuous
Full pagewas / were treading
“I was treading on the grass when the phone rang.”
See the pagePresent Perfect
Full pagehave / has trodden
“I have already trodden on the grass.”
See the pagePast Perfect
Full pagehad trodden
“She had already trodden on the grass when I arrived.”
See the pageFuture Simple
Full pagewill tread
“I will tread on the grass tomorrow.”
See the pageGoing to Future
Full pageam / is / are going to tread
“I'm going to tread on the grass this weekend.”
See the pageConditional (would)
Full pagewould tread
“I would tread on the grass if I had time.”
See the pageHow to use to tread
1. Stepping on something
- He trod on my foot.
2. Tread carefully (figurative)
Tread carefully = to be very careful in a delicate situation.
- Tread carefully on this topic.
3. Tread water
Tread water = to stay in one place in the water; also, to make no progress.
- We're just treading water.
A common mistake
1. Treadmill
A treadmill is a running machine in a gym. It can also mean a tiring routine that never stops, especially at work.
What's next?
You can conjugate to tread. Now say it out loud.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past simple of tread?+
The Past Simple is trod. The past participle is trodden (classic British English) or trod (accepted in the US). Tread → trod → trodden.
What does tread carefully mean?+
Tread carefully is an idiom. It means to act or speak with great care, because a situation is difficult. You often hear it about politics, society or feelings. Tread carefully when you talk to him about this.
What does tread water mean?+
Literally, tread water means to stay in one place in deep water, moving your legs, with your head above the water. It also means to make no progress: The company is just treading water.
What is a treadmill?+
A treadmill is a running machine in a gym. It is also an image for a tiring routine that never changes, especially at work. It is useful vocabulary for sport and for working life.
What is the difference between tread and step?+
Step is the general, neutral word: to move your foot, or to take a step. Tread often means to walk on something, or to walk heavily. Step on the gas means drive faster. Don't tread on my toes!
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/tread
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.