Choice words: tell / speak / say / talk

Let’s talk about the verbs that form the basis of all learning English. After all, as a result we want to get the answer to one question: «Do you speak in English?» (Do you speak English?) Of the verb «to speak» in English a few. They differ from each other and used in different situations and contexts, however, remaining synonymous, and therefore having similar features in the values. Understand this will help us to analyze the values ​​of each of the words and the comparison of this information.

Choice words: tell / speak / say / talk — in the sense of «talk, tell, tell ‘

The first is synonymous with the verb tell. That’s him and begin. By the way, pay attention not only on the meaning of each word, and on the pretext with which it is used, as the management of these different verbs, and this is very important.

We can use the verb tell, when we want to tell you that:

1. Someone says or tells someone about something:
   

   He does not want to tell me the story of their acquaintance. — He does not want to tell me the story of their acquaintance.

   I’ll tell you a secret. — I’ll open (tell) you a secret.

   Can you tell me what time the next bus leaves? — Can you tell me when the next bus leaves?

2. Someone tells someone (in this case, after will tell is a verb in the infinitive form):
   

   My husband told me not to leave the house without his permission. — My husband told me that I should not leave the house without his permission.

   He was told to wait outside. — He was told to wait outside the door.

3. Someone says something (in this sense is synonymous with the verb speak and say):
   

   Are you telling the truth? — Are you telling the truth?

We appeal to the verb speak, if you point out that:

1. Someone able to speak, to say something:
   

   Does your daughter speak? — Your daughter is talking?

   He spoke this word clearly. — He clearly (clearly) said that word.

2. Someone is talking to anyone about anything:
   

   Do you want to speak about it? — You want to talk about it?

   I was speaking to him yesterday. — I talked to him yesterday.

3. Someone speaks some language (note that a language uses this verb):
   

   He speaks German well. — He is fluent in German.

   They were speaking English. — They spoke in English.

4. Someone speaks at the meeting:
   

   I’m not used to speaking in public. — I’m not used to speak publicly.

   The Prime Minister spoke out for radical reforms. — The Prime Minister spoke publicly in favor of radical reforms.

We are helping verb say, when we show that:

1. Somebody wants to say something:
   

   What are you trying to say? — What are you trying to say?

   Why can not he say what he means? — Why did not he say straight out that he has in mind?

2. Somebody wants to say something:
   

   She does not want to say a word. — She will not say a word.

   He elected to say nothing. — He chose to remain silent.

3. Someone is going to make his point:
   

   He says the first thing that comes into his head. — He says the first thing he came into our heads.

   He says that he likes this country. — He says that he likes the country.

Please note that the verb say can be any type of speech: She said she was unhappy. She said to meet him here. But the above message implies tell anyone the information or orders. In the case of this verb you should always go to the person who provided the information or ordered: She told me about her new job. She told us to stay there.

And finally, the last synonym talk, which is very close in meaning to the verb speak, but is more conversational goal. We use the verb when:

1. Someone says something:
   

   You are talking nonsense. — You’re talking nonsense.

   Baby is just learning to talk. — The child is just learning to speak.

2. Someone is discussing something, talking about something, say something:
   

   They were talking politics. — They talked about politics.

   They are talking about building a new railway station. — They discuss the construction of the new railway.

As we can see there are some significant differences. Moreover, these verbs combined with prepositions are phrasal in which their values. But this is material for another note.

 

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