Speak vs.

Talk
Speak / Talk vs. Say / Tell
Say / Tell A piece of information Say direct quote: He said Hello, Im David. Say [to someone] a piece of information He said to me that Julie was in the kitchen. Tell someone a piece of information He told me that Julie was in the kitchen. Speak / Talk [to someone] [about a topic] I spoke to the students about the rules. In the lecture, the lecturer spoke about economics. I talked to the shop assistant about a discount. We were talking about you. We talked for five hours.

A) Speak, Talk, Say or Tell? 1. When I got to the shop, they ________ they didnt have any milk. 2. She was late to dinner and she ________ me about her journey. 3. Do you want to __________ about what were going to do tomorrow? 4. The President visited the highschool and __________ about his new education plan. 5. Excuse me, can you ________ me the way to the station? 6. We drank beer and ____________ about girls.

Speak vs. Talk

In many situations, both speak and talk are correct.

Speak is more formal than talk. Talk is usually for a two-way conversation (two people talking with each other) Speak is usually one-way (One person speaks, the other person listens) The Prime Minister spoke to the crowd. C) Say or Tell or Speak or Talk? = The Prime Minister gave a speech to the crowd. 1. I don't want to ___________ about this. After the speech, the PM talked with some of the locals. The school director spoke to the student about his lateness. 2. ________ her that Im coming tomorrow. Paul didnt want to talk about his ex-girlfriend. 3. What did you __________ to her? Expressions with speak: 4. I __________ my mom that I planned to Speak a language. Do you speak French? come home for Christmas. Speak slowly/quickly/ quietly/loudly/gently Could you speak slowly, please? 5. We have to ___________ that we plan to Speak up! Could you speak up? I cant hear you. launch the new product this week. B) Speak or Talk? 6. We have to ____________ them about our 1. They ____________ about football the whole night. It was boring. 3. Andy _______________ three languages. 4. Honey, can we ___________ about it tomorrow? I have to go to work now. 5. The king refused to ___________ to the ambassador. 6. The teacher ______________ so quickly that no one understood. 7. The doctor wrote: The patient is not able to ____________ due to his head injury. plans. about? 8. We __________ about the news from our hometown. 9. He __________ that he was satisfied with my work. 10. Why didn't you ___________ me you were in Melbourne? 2. Do you want to ______________ to the group about the news? 7. What did your boss _________ to you

11. We need some time alone to ___________. ANSWERS:A) 1. said 2. told 3. talk 4. spoke 5. tell 6. talked. B) 1. talked 2. speak (talk is also possible if less formal) 3. speaks 4. talk 5. speak (talk is also possible, but speak is more formal), 6. spoke 7. speak (formal medical language). C) 1. talk 2. tell 3. say 4. told 5. say 6. tell 7. talk/speak 8. talked 9. said 10. tell 11. talk