Dread efterfølges normalt af gerundium eller et besiddende tillægsord + gerundium. Den mest almindelige undtagelse er, når dread bliver efterfulgt af en navnemåde sammen med think i udtrykket I dread to think. Dread kan også blive efterfulgt af et navneord.
Eksempler
- I dread diving off the high board.
- I dread driving at night.
- I dread your leaving someday.
- I dread his losing his way home.
- I dread to think what might happen.
- I dread to think about him disappearing.
- I dread conflict.
- I dread the night.