The verb to tread · Conjugation
Past Simple of tread
The answer: trod
A2
A finished action at a definite time in the past.
Quick answer
The Past Simple of the verb to tread is trod.
Example: He trod on my foot.
Full conjugation in the Past Simple
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| I | trod |
| You | trod |
| He / She / It | trod |
| We | trod |
| You (pl.) | trod |
| They | trod |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Treaded ❌
There are three different forms: tread → trod → trodden. It is the same pattern as forget → forgot → forgotten: o in the past, -en at the end of the participle.
2. Tread carefully
This idiom is very common. People use it to tell someone to be careful in a difficult situation: Tread carefully, she is still upset.
Practice quiz
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of tread?+
The Past Simple is trod. The past participle is trodden (UK) or trod (US). Tread → trod → trodden.
What does tread carefully mean?+
Tread carefully (an idiom) means to act or speak very carefully in a delicate situation. You often hear it about politics or society.
What does tread water mean?+
Tread water means to stay in one place in deep water, moving your legs. It also means to make no progress.
Is it tread or step?+
Step is the general, neutral word for moving your foot. Tread means to walk heavily, or to put your foot on something. It gives a more precise picture.
Is it trod or treaded?+
Tread is irregular: trod in the Past Simple, trodden as the past participle. Say He trod on my foot, not He treaded on my foot.
Related pages: tread Past Simple
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
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/past-simple
© 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.
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More forms of the verb to tread are coming soon.