something about "say", "speak", "talk" and "tell"
These words of oral amd written English are all verbs;
talk and
say are also nouns. The verbs mainly differ in their grammar.
Talk and
speak are very similar;
speak is more formal and less commonly used.
I want to (talk)(speak) to/with you after work today.
When my father was unhappy with me, he always (talked)(spoke) to me very formally.
What did the guests talk about? (here
speak is too formal)
How long did the president (talk)(speak)?
Don't (talk)(speak) for more than 20 minutes.
Talk and
speak are often followed by words like
to,
with,
about and
for. We also say things like '(
talk)(
speak) slowly and clearly.'
You can say 'speak English'. We don't say 'talk English' unless one means talk
about English.
You can not say '(Say)(Tell) English', but you can say 'Say (it)(something) in English.' and 'Tell me something in English.'
Say is
very commonly used.
What did he say? I didn't understand what he said. Say that again. Say it more slowly. I almost always agree with what he says. The weather man says it will be much colder tomorrow.
Say and
tell are more commonly used for written things than
talk and
speak are. What did John say in his letter? The second chapter of the book will tell us about Napoleon's childhood.
Tell is almost aways immediately followed by a noun or pronoun that serves as a direct or indirect object.
Tell us more about yourself.
Tell (me)(Kate)(the class) what you did on Christmas Day.
I told the police what I saw.
I told my story to anyone who would listen.
When you (speak)(talk) to the students, what will you (say)(say to them)(tell them)?
Last edited by 2006; 18-May-2009 at 06:58. Reason: some minor improvements
