read the text

Meaning

This phrase means to look at and comprehend written words in a specific article, book passage, or document. It is a standard instruction used by teachers and exam papers.

Examples

• Please read the text on page 42 before answering the comprehension questions.

  Please read the text on page 42 before answering the comprehension questions.

• We need to read the text carefully to find the main argument.

  We need to read the text carefully to find the main argument.

• Did you read the text that the professor emailed us yesterday?

  Did you read the text that the professor emailed us yesterday?

• Students will read the text silently for ten minutes.

  Students will read the text silently for ten minutes.

• Before you start writing your essay, make sure to read the text again.

  Before you start writing your essay, make sure to read the text again.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I readed the text last night.

  ✓ I read the text last night.

  The past tense of the irregular verb 'read' is spelled the same way ('read') but pronounced like the color 'red'.

• ✗ Please read the text for me.

  ✓ Please read the text to me.

  If you want someone to read aloud so you can hear it, use 'read to me'. 'Read for me' sounds like they are doing your reading assignment on your behalf.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Before we discuss the main character's choices, let's ___.

  💡 Look at the written passage.

  Show answer

  read the text

• Your homework tonight is to ___ on page 15.

  💡 Review the assigned reading.

  Show answer

  read the text