DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SAY SPEAK TALK

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN: SAY / SPEAK / TALK / TELL

SAY EXPRESS INFORMATION Say contains just one piece of information. 1. to say something using spoken or written words; “It’s getting late”, she said. He says that he likes soccer. Jack said there is going to be a party tonight.

SAY Say what where why Say hello goodbye sorry Say a word a few words about The chairman started by saying why he had called the meeting. He came to say goodbye. I’d like to say a few words about our weekend program.

SAY 2. to use particular words in order to express what you mean or think; Mary wasn’t sure how to say that she didn’t want to see him any more. “Don’t let me keep you” is just a polite way of saying that you want someone to leave. How do you say “Good morning” in Italian?

SAY 3. to say something in an indirect way, used especially when you are asking someone what the real meaning of a statement is; What do you think the writer is saying in this story? Are you saying I’m fat? So, what you’re saying, Mr. President, is that taxes may have to rise.

SAY 4. to say that you have got some information by hearing people say something ( especially something surprising or shocking ) they say people say so they say used at the end of a statement, or in reply to a statement, to show that you’re not sure whether it is true They say that her husband is in prison for killing a man. People say he is confined to a wheelchair because the surgeon made a mistake, but I don’t believe it. The nightclub burnt down and shots were heard, or so they say.

SAY 5. to say something to a number of people, especially in public, in order to give them information or make clear your opinions; President said in an interview that he had no intention of resigning. It says here that the tunnel will be open at the end of 1994. 6. to pronounce something ( spoken English ) How do you say this word? I’m not sure if I can say this name – it’s very unusual.

EXPRESSIONS. SAY say yes no say so say your piece say a prayer say your prayers to say a fixed set of words that form a prayer say no more say the word Just say the word and I’ll get rid of her. say what you like Say what you like, she’s a very good mother. say what you want to say used to show that you understand what someone means, although it has not been said directly used to tell someone they have only to ask you & you will do what they want used when giving an opinion that you are sure is correct, even if a person you are talking to might disagree with you Can I go, Mum? Oh please, say yes. - Do you think they are happy? - I wouldn’t say so Ok, you’ve said your piece – now shut up. We could hear the priest at the altar saying a prayer. When I was a child, I had to say my prayers every night. - I saw him leaving her flat at 6. 30 this morning. - Say no more!

SPEAK ABILITY - If somebody cuts out you tongue, you will lose your ability to speak Use this verb when you need to refer to languages = I speak English, Portuguese. ACTION Is a little more formal. Speak about the information is much wider. Do you speak with Norma every day? "Speak to" can also be used for the situation where A talks and B listens without speaking.

SPEAK 1. to use your voice to produce words; She opened her mouth to speak. He has a throat infection that prevents him from speaking. speak to sb. John! Speak to me. Are you all right? 2. to be able to speak a particular language; Can you speak German? We’ll have to find someone who speaks English.

SPEAK 3. to talk to someone about a particular subject especially about a serious matter that needs to be settled; speak to sb. about I intend to speak to the manager about the way I have been treated. Have you spoken to Michael about your problem? 4. to make a formal speech; If we have a company dinner we’ll have to have someone to speak. Speaking to Congress, the President appealed for co-operation in tackling the budget deficit.

EXPRESSIONS. SPEAK speak in favor of against support or oppose speaking as a parent teacher democrat etc. Only one MP spoke against the bill. speak well badly ill of It’s wrong to speak ill of the dead. speak highly of All the former patients speak highly of Dr. Seal. speak your mind She is very direct, the kind of a person who believes in speaking their mind. Generally speaking, rural schools provide a better environment for the students. say good or bad things about someone praise someone tell people exactly what you think even, if it offends them generally personally technically roughly broadly speaking Speaking as a parent I’d like to see more discipline in school.

TALK ABILITY BABIES CAN’T TALK. If somebody cuts out you tongue, you will lose your ability to talk. ACTION = They are talking. He talks to Bob about soccer.

TALK 1. to say things to someone, especially in a conversation; talk to sb. talk about Don’t talk to strangers. I can’t hear anyone when you all talk at once. You shouldn’t talk with your mouth full. Vic finds it easy to talk about his feelings. I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talking about.

TALK 2. to talk to someone about a particular subject, especially about a serious matter that needs to be settled; talk to sb. talk about I can’t make a decision until I’ve talked to my wife. If someone brings me a problem, we just sit down and quietly talk about it.

TALK 3. have a conversation; talk to sb. talk about. talk politics sport etc. It’s been nice talking to you. We talked about what we did when we were children. Whenever we meet Veronica we always seem to end up talking politics.

TALK 4. to make an informal speech about a particular subject to a group of people for example at a meeting or on the radio; give sb. a talk give a talk on something give sb. a talk Mr. Jarvis agreed to give a talk to the Gardening Club. I remember giving her a radio talk on the Women’s Movement in North America. Dr. Cookson gave us a very interesting talk on her recent visit to Japan.

TALK 5. to talk too much about other people’s private lives and behaviour, usually in a disapproving way; We mustn’t be seen together in public again. People are starting to talk. 6. to talk to yourself; I think he’s crazy – he doesn’t realize that he talks to himself all the time. When Betty’s concentrating on a difficult piece of work she has this habit of talking to herself.

EXPRESSIONS. TALK talk sense talk rubbish nonsense crab to give sensible opinions about things used to tell someone that what they are saying is silly and completely wrong He is a little old-fashioned but he talks a lot of sense. - Mr. Smith, our office is too cold. - Don’t talk such rubbish. I suppose you’ re looking for an excuse to avoid work.

TELL EXPRESS INFORMATION My Dad told me that he loves me. Tell countains just one piece of information.

TELL 1. to give someone facts or information by speaking to them or writing to them; tell sb. what where who tell sb. sth. I want you to tell me all the details. tell sb. about She said that she had already told them about. We were told that the manager wanted to see us in his office immediately. Just be honest and tell me how much you think I weigh.

TELL 2. to tell sb. a story; We used to gather round & listen to him telling wonderful stories. You said you would tell me a story if I was good. 3. to say that a book, notice etc. provides people with information about something; tell sb. how what where tell sb. This leaflet tells you how to avoid catching AIDS The two dials in the middle tell you the airspeed & altitude.

TELL 4. to tell someone in authority ( especially a parent or a teacher ) about something wrong that someone has done; • - You’re tell on not allowed in the classroom during the lunch hour. - I’m telling. Please, don’t tell on me. Mum thinks I’ve been staying at my friend’s house.

TELL 5. to tell someone something that should be kept secret; tell sb. where what who tell sb. about tell used especially by children He couldn’t tell me where he got this information. Don’t tell anyone about this. You’d better not tell, or you’ll be in big trouble. 6. to tell sb. that they must do sth; tell sb. to do sth. tell sb. what to do “Wait here”, he told the children. I thought I told you to be in bed, by 10 o’clock. I’m in charge here, & I’m not going to have anyone telling me what to do.

EXPRESSIONS. TELL tell a joke secret lie tell the truth tell sb. straight Pat told them a joke about two flies walking on the ceiling and everybody laughed. Can I tell you a secret? Whenever she told a lie, she felt guilty afterwards. If Dan is telling the truth, the others are in danger. I told her straight I wasn’t coming. tell the time tell sb. one’s name tell sb. the way tell sb. so Can you tell me the time? Tell me your name and address. Could you tell me the quickest way to Manchester? I told you so. tell one’s fortune tell the difference tell smth. from smth. She paid 100 $ to have her fortune told. Margarine and butter? I can’t tell the difference. Amateurs may be unable to tell fake from the original painting. tell someone the true facts or your true feelings used when you have warned someone about a possible danger that has now happened and they have ignored your warning

Speak and talk: uses Compare I need to speak to you. Formal. It is possible that: 1. – the speaker does not know you very well. 2. – this is in a formal setting, such as work. 3. – what the person has to say is important/serious. I need to talk to you. Informal. It is possible that: 1. – the speaker is your friend. 2. – the speaker is someone you don’t know very well, but what they have to say is informal.

We usually use speak for more formal presentations and lectures, and talk for more informal ones: Dr Graham Foster will speak about the history of the region. Kyle is going to talk us through the benefits of the software and then Liz will talk about the marketing plan. When we refer to languages, we use speak: How many languages do you speak? Not: How many languages do you talk? I wish I could speak Italian. Not: … talk Italian. Speak usually only focuses on the person who is producing the words: He spoke about the importance of taking exercise and having a good diet. Talk focuses on a speaker and at least one listener, and can mean ‘have a conversation’: I hope I can meet you to talk about my plans for the company. Not: I hope I can meet you to speak about my plans …

Speak and talk with prepositions We usually use to after speak and talk. In more formal situations, people sometimes use with: I need to speak to you about this conference next week. I was talking to Richard Moss the other day about the golf club. May I speak with you for a moment? (rather formal)

The simple answer is that talk collocates naturally with both to and with and that both talk to and talk with are grammatical. talk to indicates the activity of talking, followed by the listener as object talk with implies conversation, discussion, and discursiveness