with / to

[drifter]

If I will refer to Merriam-Webster, there's no clear difference between "speak" and "talk".

Why is it improper to say "may I speak to? or May I talk to/with" if it's a telephone conversation. And is more politically correct to say "May I speak with.."

Could anyone care to elaborate? Thanks!

[riverkid]

Originally Posted by drifter

If I will refer to Merriam-Webster, there's no clear difference between "speak" and "talk".

Why is it improper to say "may I speak to? or May I talk to/with" if it's a telephone conversation. And is more politically correct to say "May I speak with.."


[Could] Would anyone care to elaborate? OR

Could anyone elaborate?

Howdy, Drifter.

The last one, "May I speak with ..." is a bit more polite, a bit softer but the first two,

"may I speak to? or May I talk to/with"

certainly are poooooossible.

More likely, to my mind,

Can/Could I talk to/with ... ?"