動詞 dread 一般接動名詞或所有格形容詞 + 動名詞。但有個例外，當 dread 後面接了不定詞，例如與 think 連用，會表達為：I dread to think. 這種例外很常見。dread 也可以接名詞。
舉例
- 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.