x>y (read: x is greater than y)

[sitifan]

In particular, x>y (read: x is greater than y) means x lies to the right of y on the number line ... (Precalculus, page 1)

In the above situation, which pronunciation of "read" is correct: reed or red?

 

[GoesStation]

Only the past participle, /red/, works for me.

 

[SoothingDave]

Hmmm. I always thought of it as an imperative. Read it like this.

 

[jutfrank]

I'd definitely read it as an imperative, too.

 

[GoesStation]

It honestly never occurred to me before this thread that two readings are possible; I've just always seen it as a past participle. Now that I consider it, of course the imperative works, too. They're short versions of "which is read: 'x is greater than y'" and "read this as 'x is greater than y'".

 

[SoothingDave]

When I've written these types of sentences, I always meant it as a command to the reader.

 

[sitifan]

When I've written these types of sentences, I always meant it as a command to the reader.

Adverb clause (present perfect), main clause (past tense).
Is the above tense sequence correct?

 

[SoothingDave]

Probably should be "I've always meant it," but in conversation it's not always that way.