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Vocabulary
SPEAK, TALK, SAY or TELL?
Key
Speak is used when one person addresses a group.
Talk suggests that two or more people are having a conversation.
(Sometimes they are used with similar meaning)
Say is used with words. Structure: say something to somebody.
Tell is used when giving information. Structure: tell somebody something.
Talk suggests that two or more people are having a conversation.
(Sometimes they are used with similar meaning)
Say is used with words. Structure: say something to somebody.
Tell is used when giving information. Structure: tell somebody something.
- speak (spoke, spoken)
He spoke to the class about the problem.
Can you speak Chinese?
I'd like to speak to Mr. Pitt, please.
- talk (talked, talked)
They talked for hours about the problem. - say (said, said)
She said nothing all morning. (spoke no words) - tell (told, told)
She told me nothing about herself. (gave me no information) - Phrases with 'tell'
You can tell...
the truth
the time
a lie
a story
- Related words and expressions
speech: act of speaking or formal talk given to an audience
speaker: person who speaks
talk: conversation or informal speech
saying: well-known phrase
be on speaking terms with somebody: be on friendly or polite terms, be willing to talk
actions speak louder than words: what a person actually does means more than what he says he will do
the facts speak for themselves: the facts show the truth, without further interpretation or explanation
speak/talk of the devil: said when somebody one has been talking about appears
talk one's head off: talk too much
say when: used to ask somebody to show when one should stop pouring a drink
not say boo to a goose: be too shy or too gentle
before you could say Jack Robinson: very quickly or suddenly
easier said than done: more difficult to do than to talk about. Eg. Getting a job is easier said than done.
say no more: I understand what you mean
- Ver también Ways of speaking
Can I talk to Mr. Pitt, please?
As she entered, she said 'Hello' to me.
He said 'Goodbye' and went away.
Can you tell me how to get to the bank?
Practice
Exercise - Ways of speaking - Difficult