speak vs talk

Speak vs Talk

Exploring the Similarities & Differences

Small nuances, distinct meaning.

The words "speak" and "talk" are often used interchangeably in English language, however if used correctly they have distinct differences in meaning. To "speak" is to express oneself verbally or in writing, whereas to "talk" is to have a more general exchange of ideas with another person or group of people. Speak implies a more formal and professional approach, whereas talk is informal and conversational.

There is little difference between 'speak' and 'talk' and they are often used interchangeably.

Speak

Verb Forms Speak - Spoke - Spoken - Speaking.

'Speak' tends to be used in more formal situations.

'Speak' is often used when someone is speaking to a group of people in general.

'Speak' is also used with languages.

Peter speaks both German and Italian.

She spoke about her problems at work.

Talk

Verb Forms Talk - Talked - Talked - Talking.

'Talk' is often used with the preposition 'about' when introducing the subject of conversation, and 'to' when introducing the conversational partner.

'Talk' is used to express informal conversation between a limited number of people.

My wife and I talked about our child's future.

She continued talking to Jack after I left the room.

Complete the blanks with the best verb forms.

1. I heard someone …………….……… in the hallway.

speaking talking

2. Generally ………………………… , this is what happens when you see a nutritionist.

speaking talking

3. No one ………………. a word (= No one ………………………. anything).

spoke said

4. "I’ll never ………………………… to you again," he ……………………. angrily.

speak said

5. Please ……………… louder.

speak say

6. She ……………………… in a whisper (= very quietly).

spoke said

7. How do you ………………………. your name?

speak say

8. The child could ……………………………. her ABCs when she was still a baby.

speak say

say vs tell

Distinguishing the Difference

Verb usage difference

The primary difference between the verbs "say" and "tell" is in how they are used grammatically. "Say" is typically used to refer to speech, whereas "tell" is used to refer to the communication of information. Furthermore, "say" is usually followed by a direct quote, while "tell" is usually followed by an indirect quote.

Say → Direct quotation

We use “say” for direct quotation.

John said, “I am very busy.”

Mary said to me, “I don’t feel well.”

We use “say” for indirect quotation when the person to whom the words are said is not mentioned.

John said that he was very busy.

Tell → Indirect quotation

We use “tell” for indirect quotation when the person to whom the words are said is mentioned.

Mary told me that she didn’t feel well.

We use “tell” in the following special ways:

to tell the truth

to tell a lie

to tell a story

to tell about something

The nervous witness finally decided to tell the truth about what he saw.

The child told a lie about finishing his vegetables to avoid bedtime.

My grandmother loves to tell stories about her childhood on the farm.

The scientist told about her groundbreaking discovery at the conference.

A Supply the correct form of “say” or “tell” in the following sentences.

1. Mary …................. (that) she was very busy yesterday.

2. Mary …................. me (that) she was very busy yesterday.

3. I …................. my boss (that) I could not finish my work in time.

4. John ................. me all about his trip. He ................. (that) it was very interesting.

5. Please ................ me about the movie which you saw last night.

6. Grace ................ to me, “I will never speak to him again.”

7. I …................. William (that) I could not go to the movies with him.

8. The boy …................. his mother a lie, and she punished him severely. I believe he will always …................. the truth in the future.

9. The teacher …................. us (that) she was too busy to see us after class.

10. These twin brothers look so much alike (that) I cannot …................. them apart.

11. Mr. and Mrs. Smith …................. us all about their recent trip to Mexico. They …................. (that) Mexico was a very interesting and picturesque country.

12. William …................. to me, “Is it necessary to write all my exercise in ink?”

13. …................. me just what you …................. John yesterday about your vacation plans. He …................. (that) he wanted to go with you.

14. William always …................. the truth because his parents have trained him never to …................. a lie.

15. John …................. (that) he was too tired to go to the park with us.

16. The teacher …................. the class (that) she was not satisfied with their work.

17. My boss …................. me (that) I could take my vacation in July.

18. Can you …................. me how I reach Pennsylvania Station?

19. John …................. (that) English is difficult for him.

20. I have …................. him the same thing several times.

21. William …................. (that) the book belonged to Mr. Smith.

22. I …................. him (that) I thought it belonged to Helen.

23. As part of his speech, the President …................. the audience had several humorous stories.

24. It was Mary who …................. us (that) the plane was air conditioned.

25. Will you please …................. me what time is it?

26. Who …................. you (that) Mr. Reese was a former army officer?

B Change these sentences to introduce “tell” in place of “say”. Then make whatever other changes are necessary.

1. He said that he did not feel well.

He told me that he did not feel well.

2. John said that he could not attend the meeting.

3. She said that she had a bad headache.

4. Mr. Smith said that he was too busy to see us.

5. George said that he didn’t have enough money to buy the tickets.

6. I said that I was going to buy the tickets.

7. The student said that he didn’t know the meaning of many words in the lesson.

8. The man said that there were plenty of seats available.

9. The farmer said that he expected a good crop.

10. The man said that he was German by birth.

11. He also said that he was a good friend of John’s.

12. Helen said that she had a lot of work to do.

C Change these sentences to introduce “say” instead of “tell”. Then make whatever other changes are necessary.

1. He told us that he was too tired to go out.

He said that he was too tired to go out.

2. She told us that she knew how to speak French well.

3. I told him that I was too busy to see him.

4. We told him that there were many things worse than loss of hearing.

5. The teacher told us that she was not satisfied with our work.

6. The doctor told me that I must rest more.

7. He told me that he knew her well.

8. I told the boys that the train was late.

9. We told them that the train was late.

10. I told him that it was useless to wait any longer.

11. He told the girls that he was not married.

12. I told the teacher that I enjoyed my lessons very much.

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